The French Fifth Republic at Fifty Beyond Stereotypes

Addresses essential questions about the determinants and dynamics of the French political system and of its institutions, dispelling the stereotypical view of it as an exceptional model of politics.

SYLVAIN BROUARD is Senior Research Fellow FNSP at SPIRIT, Sciences Po Bordeaux, France, having worked previously at the Center of Political Research of Sciences-Po (CEVIPOF). His research focuses on lawmaking in Western democracies and on minority politics. He published a breakthrough book on French citizens from Africa and Turkey in 2005, and his most recent book is about the French referendum on the ECT (2007). He is currently co-directing in the French Agendas Project.

ANDREW APPLETON is Associate Professor of Political Science at Washington State University, USA, and the Director of the Global Studies Program. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from New York University, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and a B.Soc.Sci. from the University of Birmingham. He is the editor (with Daniel S. Ward) of State Party Profiles, and the author of numerous articles and book chapters. He co-edits, with Robert Elgie, the Palgrave journal French Politics.

AMY G. MAZUR is Professor in the Department of Political Science at Washington State University, USA. Her most recent books include: Theorizing Feminist Policy (2002); and Politics, Gender and Concepts (editor with Gary Goertz, 2008). She is co editor of Political Research Quarterly and co-convener of the Research Network on Gender Politics and the State and of the French Politics Group of the APSA.