Contemporary France provides an essential introduction for students of French politics and society. Contemporary developments are explored but placed within the deeper historical, intellectual, cultural and social context that makes for insightful analysis.

This second edition has been fully updated to cover the new issues and important changes that have arisen in the last decade. These include:

• the presidencies of Sarkozy and Hollande and their impact on French society
• political secularity - laicite - and the continuing debate surrounding the headscarf ban
• the financial crisis and the subsequent rise of declinisme
• the 2005 riots in the banlieues and the broader but linked issue of youth unemployment
• cultural policy -l'exception francaise
• France's relations with its former colonies and its changing place on the international scene.

This new edition is also supported by a free companion website. This contains additional resources including multiple-choice exercises and annotated bibliographies linked to each chapter to guide further study.

Contemporary France is an invaluable resource for all undergraduate students of French. The authoritative background information provides a solid foundation and a springboard for further study.