François Mitterrand: A Study in Political LeadershipFrancois Mitterrand is an in-depth, thematic appraisal of the long-serving President's political leadership. Alistair Cole provides a lucid appreciation of the development of French polity during the entire postwar period. His portrayal of Mitterrand as an individual political leader is thus placed in the context of the French political system. Cole contends that in most respects Mitterrand's leadership was of a reactive variety: throughout his presidency he was forced to address agendas he had not selected, and react to events he had not predicted. Francois Mitterrand: A Study in Political Leadership begins with a chronological overview of Mitterrand's career until 1981, and proceeds with a policy-based assessment of his presidency from 1981-93, before attempting to make sense of his highly complex political persona. Mitterrand's leadership is then appraised in relation to various key themes and placed in comparative perspective. The book will be valuable to anyone interested in the career of one of Europe's leading statesmen, and will be of particular interest to students of contemporary French politics. |
Contents
1 The origins of a political leader 191658 | 1 |
2 From Republican opponent to President of the French 195881 | 17 |
an overview | 32 |
4 The enigma of Francois Mitterrand | 53 |
5 The party leader | 68 |
6 The President | 84 |
7 Mitterrands governing style | 102 |
8 The European statesman | 116 |
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1965 presidential election advisers African alliance arbitral attempt Bérégovoy campaign career cent Chapter Chirac cohabitation colonial Communist constraints Cresson defence deputies economic policy Edith Cresson electoral Elysée staff Europe European affairs European integration evolution Fabius favour Fifth Republic foreign policy Fourth Republic France France's Franco-German François Mitterrand French President Gaulle Gaulle's Gaullist Giscard d'Estaing important industrial influence initially institutional Interview Laurent Fabius left-wing legacy Maastricht Maastricht treaty majority manoeuvre March Mauroy Mendès-France Michel Rocard ministry Mitter Mitterrand appeared Mitterrand presidency Mitterrand's leadership Mitterrand's political mitterrandistes modernisation Mollet Monde National Assembly nationalised nomination notably organisation Paris parliamentary party's period Pierre Pierre Bérégovoy Pierre Mauroy policy-making political leadership politicians Politique premier presidential election prime minister programme radical referendum reform reformist relation Republican resistance Rocard role sector SFIO Single European Act social Social-democratic Socialist Party sphere style summit theme traditional treaty UDSR