ABSTRACT
The most striking characteristic of French post-war internal politics is the way in which economic and political preoccupations reacted on each other, together with the consequent confusion of mind and multiplication of obstacles to the solution of problems in both fields. In so far as French economic problems were capable of solution, either by individual effort, or by governmental action acceptable by and large to the political parties, economic recovery progressed. One of the remedies constantly suggested was a complete overhaul of the fiscal system, in order to render it both more equitable and more efficient. This proved impossible of achievement partly because, even if the reforms had been agreed on, they would have taken years to carry out, but also because the political obstacles proved insuperable. The relation between the parliamentary representative and his electors is one that grows up gradually, and traditions, once established, are difficult to change, except perhaps under the stimulus of some great national emergency.
