ABSTRACT

Modern France is an up-to-date and accessible introduction to the nature of French society at the end of the twentieth century. The book examines the transition of France and French life as the nation moves from an industrial to a post-industrial economy, and the cultural and social dislocations that such an evoltuion implies.
Sociological concepts and categories of class, race, gender, age and region are discussed as well as how they combine together to produce inequalities and identities. These concepts are then applied to a range of issues such as work, politics, education, health, religion and leisure.
Modern France reveals the nature of French society at a critical moment in her evolution and how a member of the European Union reflects distinctiveness and commonality in the development of Europe as a whole.

part I|72 pages

Categories of analysis

chapter Chapter 1|14 pages

Class and status

chapter Chapter 2|14 pages

Race and ethnicity

chapter Chapter 3|14 pages

Gender

chapter Chapter 4|13 pages

Age

The life course

chapter Chapter 5|15 pages

The regions

part II|102 pages

Areas of enquiry

chapter Chapter 6|12 pages

Paid and unpaid work

chapter Chapter 7|13 pages

Trade unions

chapter Chapter 8|15 pages

French politics 1981–97

Stability and malaise

chapter Chapter 9|17 pages

Education and training

chapter Chapter 10|15 pages

Religion and laïcité

chapter Chapter 11|13 pages

Healthcare

chapter Chapter 12|15 pages

Leisure and consumption