How to Understand French Political Culture

French political culture is one of the richest and most dynamic political cultures in the world. As one of the first European nations to raise civil liberties and freedoms above the power of the government or sovereign, France has a long history of deep political interaction. Follow these steps to understand French political culture.

Instructions

1. Learn about the French Revolution, the single most significant event in modern French history. Even today, French political culture is couched in the historical perspectives provided by the storming of the Bastille and the subsequent social revolution. To understand French political culture, get a good mental grasp on the meaning of the Revolution.

2. Follow the different personalities. French political culture, perhaps more than most political cultures, centers heavily around political personalities. French leaders and politicians such as Napoleon, Charles DeGaulle, Mitterrand and, most recently, Jacques Chirac are political emblems as much as they are historical personalities. Knowing what a French citizen thinks about any of these men is knowing what they think about French politics.

3. Get an understanding of the government. France's system of government is complex, to say the least. It uses a blending of presidential and parliamentary elements that are essential to understanding the overarching political culture. Learn about the major French offices, such as prime minister and president, and the role that the cabinet and regional offices play in everyday political life.

4. Understand the history of French socialism and its values. Social values and the national slogan of "equality, liberty and brotherhood" have governed modern French political culture for decades. Understanding the grip that French socialism has on politics is necessary to understanding the French antipathy to nationalism and overly activist governance.