THE CLASS ANALYSIS APPROACH

I. Barrington Moore, Jr.

A. Brief Biography

1. Early Work: Russia

2. Methodology: Historical Materialism

3. 4 Core Suppositions

a) “No bourgeois, no democracy”

b) Eliminate the peasantry      [  Relevant quotations from Marx ]

c) Commercialization of the countryside- did it promote the independence of the

Aristocracy?

d) Political balance between Aristocracy & Bourgeoisie

B. Class Analysis of Britain and France

CONDITION BRITAIN FRANCE

1. “No bourgeoisie, no democracy.” YES NO

2. Eliminate Peasantry YES NO

3. Commercialize countryside independent of Aristocracy YES NO

4. Balance of Aristocracy & Bourgeoisie YES N/A

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Summary of Barrington Moore Argument

BRITAIN FRANCE

Mode of Production Wool/Textile Wine/Grains

International Trade Markets restricted by monarch

Enclosures… Labor intensive

Technological innovation Little innovation

Destruction of peasantry Preservation of peasantry

Politico-EconomicEnvironment/Outcome

Capitalistic/parliamentaryDemocracy

Royal Absolutism(Louis XIV)

Bourgeoisie? Increased influence, merged with upper classes

Less development because of royal restrictions

Peasantry? Eliminated before democratic era Aligned with monarchy;Supported royal authority

Major Characteristics Bourgeois Democracy “No bourgeois,no democracy”

Commercialization of countryside Continued feudal culture

Elimination of Peasantry Reactionary peasant forces

Aristocracy & Bourgeoisie have balance of power

Bourgeoisie is weak; aristocracy aligns with monarchy

Political OutcomeIndependent Parliament at expense of king. Early violence allowed parliamentary gradualism

King kept power. Aristocracy overthrown by revolution. Revolution/instability

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II. Moore: Strengths & WeaknessesC. Strengths

1. Democratic Origination

2. State of Epiphenomenon

3. Critique of ills of Capitalism

D. Weaknesses

1. Dogmatism

2. Lack of Method

3. Area Studies

4. Liquid vs. Fixed Capital --- Critique by Robert Bates

THE FRENCH POITICAL SYSTEM

Introduction: Constitutional Instability – History of Regimes, 1789 to 1999

French Regimes, 1789 to Present

Napoleon's Invasion of Russia

I. France’s Political Culture

A. Multiple spectrums *

1. Left vs. Right (as in Britain)

2. Constitutional / Anti-Constitutional

3. Presidential vs. Republican

4. Planned Economy vs. Market Economy

B. Instrumental vs. Reverential Culture: Fragmented Attachments **

C. No unifying myth: role of Joan of Arc

D. Incivility – what is “incivisme”?

E. The “Shame Culture” and the Political Pendulum

* Multiple Spectrums Today: The European Union

** Fragmented Attachments in French History

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4

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THE FIFTH FRENCH REPUBLIC

Background events

Gaullist critique of Fourth Republic

Drafting the constitution

Political institutions of Fifth Republic

Presidency

o Prime Minister + Cabinet

Legislature

o National Assembly

o Senate

Constitutional Council

REGIME INSTABILITY, 3RD & 4TH REPUBLICS

1876 to 1958 = 82 years

o 119 “governments”

o Average life was 8 months

1946 to 1958 = 12 years

o 25 “governments’

o Average life was 6 months

All Governments were coalitions. Political cycle was immobilism – crisis leadership- immobilism.

Real power devolved to the bureaucracy

6 PRINCIPLE OF INSTITUTIONAL ENGINEERING

1. A Strong President when….?

2. A Strong Prime Minister and Cabinet when….?

3. Weaken the Parliament…. When?

4. Electoral steps toward two-party system

5. Judicial Review

6. Constitutional Ambiguity (flexibility)?

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II. France: The Trend toward Cohabitation

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1958 – 1988: 1st 30 years of 5th Republic, 2 years of cohabitation

1988 – 2002: next 14 years, 2 periods of cohabitation, a total of 7 years (2+5) or 50% of time

ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE NO.1: EMPOWER THE PRESIDENCY

Art. 8. Appoints Prime Minister

Art 12. Dissolution of Parliament

Art 16. Crisis Power

Art 5. Constitutional and Foreign Affairs

Art. 15. Commander of Armed Forces

Art. 5. + Art. 15. “Reversed Domain”

Art 11. Referendum Power, “on proposal of Gov.”

Appointment Powers

ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE NO.2: EMPOWER THE GOVERNMENT

1. Structural: Limitations of Office

2. Human: Limitations/Interests

3. Cultural: The Parliamentary Idea

4. Political: The Increase of Cohabitation and Weaker Presidents

5. Constitutional: Empowerment of Government

Art. 49. 3 key parts, “laws without votes”

Art. 23. Rule of Incompatibility

Art. 20. Cabinet authority to administer government policy, including defense

Art. 21. Authority for Defense

Art. 38. Delegated Powers

Art. 44. The “Blocked” Vote

Can These Be Reconciled?

Reconciliation 1: Multiple Equilibriums: Presidential Majority vs. Governmental Majority

Reconciliation 2: Parliamentary Government vs. Parliamentary Crisis [the “spare tire” theory]

ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE NO.3: WEAKEN PARLIAMENT

1. Relativity of Power

2. Committee System

Art. 23. Rule of Incompatibility

Art. 34. Limits on Scope of Parliament’s Authority

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Art. 40. Limits on Budgetary Power

Art. 38. Delegated Authority

ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE NO.4: USE THE SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT TO CREATE A TWO PARTY

SYSTEM

French Parliamentary Elections of 1988 & 1993

1988 1993

PARTY % of Vote # of Seats % of Vote # of Seats Change

CP 11.3 27 9.1 24 -3

SOC 34.8 274 19.2 61 -213

UDF 18.5 130 18.8 207 +77

GAULLIST 19.2 128 19.7 242 +114

NF 9.8* 1 12.7 0 -1

OTHER e.g. “greens” 15 10.9

37(unaff. rt.)

0+22

* In the1986 parliamentary election, held under proportional representation, the National Front gained 9.9% on the 1st ballot, but won 35 seats.

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French Parliamentary Elections of 1993 & 1997

  

1993 1997

Party First Ballot Second Ballot

Number of Seats First Ballot Second

BallotNumber of

SeatsGain or

Loss

Communists 9.2 4.6 24 9.8 3.6 38 +14

Socialists 20.3 31.6 61 25.7 39.1 241 +180

Left 6.7 5.6

U.D.F. 19.1 25.1 207 14.9 21.2 108 -99

Gaullists 20.4 27.8 242 16.5 23.6 148 -94

Rt. Cen Alliance ~ (39.5 (52.9) (449) (31.4) (44.8) (256) (-193)

National Front 12.4 5.7 0 15.2 5.7 1 +1

Others (includes the Greens and Generation Ecology)

18.6 5.2 43 11.2 1.2 41 -3

*(in percentages, rounded) ~(combination of U.D.F. and Gaullists)

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French Presidential Election of 2002

FRANCE: April 21, 2002 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (first round)

Registered Voters: 41,193,693Votes Cast: 29,497,272 (71.6% of registered voters)Valid Votes 28,501,773 96.62% (of votes cast)Invalid Votes: 995,499 3.37% (of votes cast)

CANDIDATES PARTY % [OF VOTES] TOTAL VOTESJacques CHIRAC Rally for the Republic 19.88% 5,666,298Jean-Marie Le PEN National Front 16.86% 4,805,338Lionel JOSPIN Socialist Party (PS) 16.18% 4,610,506Francois BAYROU Union for the French Democracy (UDF) 6.84% 1,949,434Arlette LAGUILLER Trotskyite Workers’ Struggle 5.72% 1,630,243Jean-Pierre CHEVENEMENT Citizens Movement (MdC) 5.33% 1,518,895

Noel MAMERE Green Party 5.25% 1,495,898Alain MADELIN Liberal Democracy (DL) 3.91% 1,113,705Robert HUE French Communist Party (PCF) 3.37% 960,753

FRANCE: May 5, 2002 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (second round)Registered Voters: 41,191,169Votes Cast: 32,832,295 79.70% (of registered voters)Valid Votes: 31,062,988 94.62% (of votes cast)Invalid Votes 1,769,307 5.38% (of votes cast)

CANDIDATES PARTY % [OF VALID VOTES] TOTAL VOTES

Jacques CHIRAC Rally for the Republic 82.21% 25,537,956Jean-Marie LE PEN National Front 17.79% 5,525,032

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French Legislative Election Results, 2002

Election Information: Round 1: June 9 Round 2: June 1640,968,484Registered Voters=100%

36,783,746Registered Voters=100%

26,389,875Votes Cast = 64.42%

22,186,165 Votes Cast = 60.32%

14,578,609Abstentions = 35.58%

14,597,581Abstentions = 39.68%

Party Round 1 Results Round 2 Results Seats WonLO- Working Fight 1.20% * *LCR- Communist Revolution League 1.27% * *EG- Extreme Left 0.32% * *PCF- Communist Party 4.82% 3.26% 21PS- Socialist Party 24.11% 35.26% 138RG- Radical Party of the Left 1.54% 2.15% 7Various Left 1.09% 1.27% 6Greens 4.51% 3.19% 3PR- Republican Pole 1.19% 0.06% 0Other Ecologists 1.17% * *Regionalistic 0.26% 0.14% 1CPNT- Hunting, Fishing, Nature, & Tradition 1.67% * *Others 0.77% 0.06% 1UMP- Union for Presidential Majority 33.30% 47.26% 309UDF- Union for French Democracy 4.85% 3.92% 23DL- Liberal Democratic Party 0.41% * *RPF- Rally for France Party 0.37% 0.29% 2MPF- Movement for France 0.80% * *Various Right 3.65% 1.29% 9FN-National Front 11.34% 1.85% 0MNR- Movement for National Republic 1.09% * *Extreme Right 0.24% * *

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Presidential Election of 2007

Summary of the 22 April and 6 May 2007 French presidential election results

Candidates – Parties 1st round 2nd round

Votes % Votes %

Nicolas Sarkozy

Union for a Popular Movement (Union pour un mouvement populaire) 11,448,663 31.18% 18,983,138 53.06%

Ségolène Royal Socialist Party (Parti socialiste) 9,500,112 25.87% 16,790,440 46.94%

François Bayrou

Union for French Democracy (Union pour la démocratie française) 6,820,119 18.57%

Jean-Marie Le Pen National Front (Front national) 3,834,530 10.44%

Olivier Besancenot

Revolutionary Communist League (Ligue communiste révolutionnaire) 1,498,581 4.08%

Philippe de Villiers

Movement for France (Mouvement pour la France) 818,407 2.23%

Marie-George Buffet

Popular and anti-liberal Left, supported by the French Communist Party (gauche populaire et antilibérale, soutenue par le Parti communiste français)

707,268 1.93%

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Dominique Voynet The Greens (Les Verts) 576,666 1.57%

Arlette Laguiller Workers' Struggle (Lutte ouvrière) 487,857 1.33%

José Bové Alter-globalization activist 483,008 1.32%

Frédéric Nihous

Hunting, Fishing, Nature, Tradition (Chasse, pêche, nature, traditions) 420,645 1.15%

Gérard Schivardi Workers' Party (Parti des travailleurs) 123,540 0.34%

Total 36,719,396 35,773,578

 

Votes cast 36,719,396 98.56% 35,773,578 95.80%

Spoilt and null votes 534,846 1.44% 1,568,426 4.20%

Voters 37,254,242 83.77% 37,342,004 83.97%

Abstentions 7,218,592 16.23% 7,130,729 16.03%

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Registered voters 44,472,834 44,472,733

France: Legislative Election of 2007.

France, Legislative Election of 2007First Round Results

Round 1 10-JunParty Votes Percent Seats

Union for a Popular Movement (Union pour un mouvement populaire) 10,289,028 39.54 98New Centre (Nouveau centre) 616,443 2.37 7Miscellaneous right-wing 641,600 2.47 2Movement for France (Mouvement pour la France) 312,587 1.2 1Total "Presidential Majority" (Right) 11,859,658 45.58Socialist Party (Parti socialiste) 6,436,136 24.73 1French Communist Party (Parti communiste français) 1,115, 719 4.29 0Miscellaneous left-wing 513,457 1.97 0Left Radical Party (Parti radical de gauche) 343,580 1.31 0The Greens (Les Verts) 845,884 3.25 0Total "United Left" 9,254,776 35.55Democratic Movement (Mouvement démocrate) 1,981,121 7.61 0Regionalists and separatists 131,585 0.51 0Miscellaneous 267,987 1.03 0National Front (Front national) 1,116,005 4.29 0Other far-left, Revolutionary Communist League and Workers' Struggle 887,887 3.41 0Hunting, Fishing, Nature, Traditions 213,448 0.82 0Other ecologists 208,465 0.8 0Other far-right including National Republican Movement 102,100 0.39 0Total 26,023,052 100 110

Second Round Results June 17Union for a Popular Movement (Union pour un mouvement populaire) 9,463,408 46.37 313New Centre (Nouveau centre) 432,921 2.12 22Miscellaneous right-wing 238,585 1.17 9Movement for France (Mouvement pour la France) 1Total "Presidential Majority" (Right) 345Socialist Party (Parti socialiste) 8,622,529 42.25 186French Communist Party (Parti communiste français) 464,739 2.28 15Miscellaneous left-wing 503,674 2.47 15Left Radical Party (Parti radical de gauche) 333,189 1.63 7The Greens (Les Verts) 90,975 0.45 4Total "United Left" 227Democratic Movement (Mouvement démocrate) 100,106 0.49 3

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Regionalists and separatists 106,459 0.52 1Miscellaneous 33,068 0.16 1National Front (Front national)Other far-left, Revolutionary Communist League and Workers' StruggleHunting, Fishing, Nature, TraditionsOther ecologistsOther far-right including National Republican MovementTotal 21,130,346 100 577

CONCLUSION

Is the Single Member District Producing a Stable Two-Party System?1. The “Yes” Arguments

a. Essentially two large coalitions: a Socialist/Communist Coalition on the Left; a Gaullist/non-

Gaullist coalition on the right.

[two round feature encourages coalitions]

b. Decline of anti-constitutional extremes and “true believer” parties

c. Electoral repudiation of extreme right in 2002 Presidential Election

2. Supporting the “Yes” Arguments

a. Since end of World War II, France has become a prosperous industrial society

b. Generous and publicly supported welfare policies including social medicine, family and

worker benefits, generous pension plans, public education

c. Political system has become effective

3. The “No” Arguments

a. Large proportion of popular vote, up to 35%, for extreme parties including Communists,

Trotskyite parties, National Front and extreme “greens”

b. Large amount of popular unrest in France including public and private sector strikes

c. Rise of unresolved “hot button” issues including race, immigration, unemployment, and

globalization

d. Fluidity of the party system

4. Supporting the “No” Arguments

a. High incidence of strikes and demonstrations.

b. Economic un-sustainability of social programs (e.g., pensions)

c. High rate of unemployment

d. Nature of the French middle class… vulnerability to globalization

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