The French Socialist experiment /

This volume is one of the most important works in English to describe as well as analyze current problems facing France. The eight chapters deal with contemporary social and economic problems in France and the Socialist record in addressing these issues following Franois Mitterrand's election to the presidency in May 1981. Some of the chapters originated as papers presented at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association in 1982. Editor Ambler (Rice) is a leading American specialist on French politics, having previously published The French Army in Politics, 1945-1962 (CH, Nov '66). The chapter authors include Douglas Ashford, Gary Freeman, Jan Jenson, John T.S. Keeler, George Ross, and Martin Schain-all individuals with considerable experience in the analysis and interpretation of French society and politics. Each chapter focuses on a particular social or political problem facing contemporary France, includes a brief history of the issue, and discusses changing Socialist perspective and ideology. The problems vary from general notions about politics and economy to specific issues such as education, social security, agricultural reform, decentralization, and immigration. The final chapter places the French socialist experience into a comparative perspective based on the British and Swedish models. The chapters fit together in a neat package, bound by the editor's introductory and concluding chapters. The material is amply documented. Upper-division and graduate students as well as serious general readers.-V.E. McHale, Case Western Reserve University