This book, now in its 5th edition, continues to provide students with a comprehensive and incisive introduction to the intricacies of French politics and government. This updated edition includes a new chapter on France and Europe.

Focusing exclusively on the functional rather than the territorial level, this book reveals that the reshaping of the state in Western Europe involves different policies across Europe and conflicting tendencies in the impact of the various reform programmes. Whilst the state may be in retreat in some respects, its activity may be increasing in others. Even in Britain, its key decision-making role has not been seriously undermined.