French Democracy in Distress

Authoritarian populism is challenging contemporary democracies, prompting concern about their resilience. Using France as a magnifying lens, this book adopts a cautiously optimistic perspective. It argues that the gap is widening between political elites and ordinary citizens, the French remain strongly committed to democratic values Far from turning away from democracy, they call for greater participation and responsiveness from their institutions. French democracy is on a razor's edge, as frustrated citizens' expectations mount and attainable reforms await implementation.