Local Politics and Participation in Britain and France

by Albert Mabileau (Editor), George Moyser (Editor), Geraint Parry (Editor), Patrick Quantin (Editor)

Overview

Drawing on surveys of citizens as well as on interviews with local leaders in France and Britain, this book looks at participation in day-to-day local politics in both countries. The work is less concerned with voting than with spheres of action—particularly the extent to which people contact their local representatives about problems, complain to officials, form groups, and protest decisions. The salient differences between the two local government systems, both of which have experienced significant changes in recent decades, is explored. A series of case studies examines levels of individual and group political participation, the mobilization of people into single issue protest groups, the links between councillors and the local electorate, and the importance of the local context to participation patterns.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521345767
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/23/1990
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.79(d)

Table of Contents

List of figures and tables; Preface; Part I. Scope and Context: 1. People and local politics: themes and concepts Albert Mabileau, George Moyser, Geraint Parry and Patrick Quantin; 2. Local government in Britain and local politics and administration in France Albert Mabileau; Part II. Participation: Introduction; 3. Participation and non-participation in a French town Patrick Quantin; Conclusion; Part III. Political Mobilisation: Introduction; 5. Political mobilisation in France: a study of local protest Philippe Garraud; 6. Local political mobilisation: a case study of a Welsh community David Cleaver; Conclusion; Part IV. Local Elites, Groups and Citizens: Introduction; 7. Councillors, issue agendas and political action in two French towns Richard Balme; 8. Councillors, citizens and agendas: aspects of local decision-making in Britain George Moyser and Geraint Parry; Conclusion; Part V. Community or Locality?: Introduction; 9. Community, locality and political action: two British case studies compared George Moyser and Geraint Parry; 10. In search of community spirit Patrick Quantin; Conclusion; Part VI. Conclusions: 11. Participation and the local polity in France and Britain Albert Mabileau, George Moyser, Geraint Parry and Patrick Quantin; Bibliography; Index.