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Beyond left and right: Les Républicains and the challenges of a party system in transition, 2012-2017
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Rispin, William H. E. (2019) Beyond left and right: Les Républicains and the challenges of a party system in transition, 2012-2017. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3490827~S1
Abstract
This thesis offers a new model of the French party system to explain the political realignment that occurred during the Hollande presidency, and the problems that this posed for the Centre Right party, Les Républicains.
It argues that sections of the electorate became less attached to traditional political ideologies and the parties that previously represented them. This caused the emergence of a new arrangement of parties, according to three axes based on attitudes towards: national identity and social values; liberal economic policies; and Europe.
Each axis presented challenges for the Centre Right.
That concerning identity was the most divisive. I argue that the concept of cultural insecurity explains how the party became divided into two camps: social liberals and social conservatives.
As regards economic issues, many voters became more favourable towards liberal measures, but Les Républicains failed to benefit from this. Fillon’s radically liberal programme proved popular among sympathisers of the Centre Right, but alienated floating voters who might have supported the candidate of Les Républicains in the presidential elections.
The issue of Europe distanced Les Républicains from potential allies in the Centre, with the former supporting an approach based on nation states, while the latter preferred more federalist solutions.
The problems highlighted by the axes were exacerbated by the failure of the Centre Right to unite behind an accepted leader, following Sarkozy’s resignation in May 2012. I offer a new model of leadership, to explain both Fillon’s victory in the primary, and his subsequent defeat in the presidential elections.
Macron, who offered a socially and economically liberal programme, and who was an enthusiastic European federalist, benefitted from the problems of Les Républicains. His victory in the presidential elections encouraged defections from the Centre Right, and left Les Républicains’ future as a united movement looking uncertain.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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| Subjects: | J Political Science > JC Political theory J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) |
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| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | France -- Politics and government -- 2012-2017, Les Républicains (Political party : France), National characteristics, Social values -- France | ||||
| Official Date: | June 2019 | ||||
| Dates: |
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| Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
| Theses Department: | School of Modern Languages and Cultures | ||||
| Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
| Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
| Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Hewlett, Nick ; Wardhaugh, Jessica, 1976- | ||||
| Format of File: | |||||
| Extent: | 260 leaves | ||||
| Language: | eng |
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