Democratizing France

Focusing on decentralization reforms in France from 1982 to 1986, the book examines how these changes reshaped the central state's role and empowered local governments. Vivien Schmidt provides a comparative historical perspective, tracing decentralization from the French Revolution and emphasizing significant reforms in the 1870s. By employing a blend of political sociology, cultural anthropology, and historical analysis, she uncovers the impact of these reforms on local governance and offers insights into the evolving nature of the French state across different republics.