Are politics done differently in France ? The sharp criticisms of political elites and the mounting strength of protest votes over the last several years are proof of a serious representational crisis in France. Whether a sign of decline or maladjustment to globalization, this crisis seems to indicate that nothing is done in France in quite the same way as in other European countries.

But isn't Europe itself a blend of national singularities? One might wonder whether a common basis for values and representations does indeed exist, and whether it is possible to take European integration any further given that cultures and national political practices seem to be so different from one another.

Using the results of the European Social Survey inquiry (winner of the Descartes prize, 2005), a team of political scientists seeks to evaluate French specificity, and to measure to what extent political Europe really exists.

Based on a course taught at CEVIPOF (Centre for Political Research of Sciences Po), this work contains rigorous analyses of politics in France and in Europe, as structured by values, attitudes, demographic and social categories, as well as partisan allegiances. It is aimed equally at students and at anyone with an interest in politics.

Pascal Perrineau is a senior Professor and Head of CEVIPOF (Centre for Political Research at Sciences Po). Luc Rouban is a Research Director at CEVIPOF and is affiliated to the CNRS.
The following also contributed to this work : Daniel Boy, Jean-Marie Donegani, Emiliano Grossman, Guy Groux, Florence Haegel, Nonna Mayer, Arnaud Mercier, Janine Mossuz-Lavau, Anne Muxel, Henri Rey, Étienne Schweisguth.