France at the dawn of the twenty-first century, trends and transformations

Book excerpt: This volume presents an overview of major cultural themes in contemporary France. The section on politics deals with the issue of political cohabitation, the evolution of the Communist Party, the environment, social systems and the European Union. In the social arena, the articles encompass the evolution of the family, benefits for the elderly, the education system, and the social implications of graffiti. The changing nature of French identity is brought to light through an analysis of the press and the debate on multiculturalism. A review of cultural issues includes the notion of leisure, the contemporary social novel, the cosmopolitan tradition in French film, and new cultural spaces.The work concludes with perceptions of France from the United States as seen through diplomatic relations and remakes of french films, and a final essay on France. The various articles include numerous bibliographic references and will be of great interest to Francophiles, academics, and students of French language and culture.