ABSTRACT
There have been major shifts in realms of insecurity and crime during the last 25 years in France and, while these changes have taken place in France, many of these are, as such, not specifically French: numerous of these features can also be found in England, Germany and other European countries. Insecurity has become more than a subject in itself. Rather, it has become a new way of looking at society. ‘Security’ and ‘insecurity’ are terms commonly used by the public, the press, academics and the political elite. Since 1975, the political history of insecurity has been the history of the modernisation of the frame of reference for understanding this issue. This modernisation process has been particularly painful for French left-wing parties but was, undoubtedly, of prime importance in allowing them to remain in power after the election of Française Mitterand as President in 1981.
