Abstract
This paper examines the 2002 election of Jacque Chirac to the presidency and the 2007 election of Nicolas Sarkozy. The paper explains how these two elections show that the French political process as well as national interests have changed significantly in contemporary times. The paper also discusses how the term of a presidency is shorter and how citizens are holding their president responsible for the campaign promises that they have made. In addition, the paper notes that the central issues within both elections were the ability of the government to prevent an increase in social disturbances, law and order and the downturn of the economy.

From the Paper
"The importance of the 2002 and 2007 elections lay not only in the political process, but also the issues and platforms that they championed. Since the 1980s, France has been experiencing a period of dramatic change and dynamic conflict. Unemployment since the 1980s has remained at a steady 10% regardless of numerous legislative attempts to change the unemployment circumstance. Crime has also increasing substantially in the past two decades with an incremental rise in petty and juvenile delinquency. These policies along with a growing xenophobia that results from the recent riots of 2006 as well as the growing sentiment that Muslims and immigrants from North Africa are responsible for the growing social problems greatly impacted these elections. "

Tags:Jacque, Chirac, Nicolas, Sarkozy, social, disturbances, economy

Abstract
This paper discusses that, in the areas of the arts and politics, France surely was an able leader; but today, unemployment is at 10 percent and rising, the national debt has doubled in eight years, and the country has fallen to tenth position in the European Union for income per capita. The author points out three main arguments on the causes of the decline of France: the chaotic history up to the end of decolonization; the domestic confusion caused by lost opportunities and mistaken choices since 1970; and the months after French President Jacques Chirac's re-election in May 2002 with 82 per cent of the vote, followed by some of the worst economic statistics since the war. The paper concludes that France, like every other country, has its good and bad points, successes and failures; other Western nations, including Britain and the United States, need to do some internal cleaning as well.

From the Paper
"Further, in a Time magazine article "From Decline to Renewal" Stanley Hoffman quotes what he considers a still-relevant quote by President Charles De Gaulle. He invoked "old France, overburdened by history, bruised by wars and revolutions, moving endlessly from grandeur to decline and back, but regenerated, century after century, by the genius for renewal." The article then notes that France, which was so devastated by World War II occupation, has to be commended on its reconstruction, industrial revolution along with the modernization of the country's agriculture."

Tags:overconfidence, wwii, decolonization, revolution, grandeur

Abstract
In this article, an analysis of the reasons behind the growing incidence of anti-Semitism and violence against Jews in France and throughout Europe is provided. The writer explains contemporary and historical causes of the phenomenon.

From the Paper
".... incidents of anti-Semitism prompting Justice Minister Dominique Perben to promise enforcement efforts would become even firmer, while also promising more dissuasive judicial response. The rising incidence of anti-Semitism in France against its Jews has seen many immigrate to Israel despite government assurances. There are several reasons why Jews across Western Europe have become increasingly subjected to anti-Semitism. These reasons relate to contemporary political realities in the Middle East, the U.S. and Europe

Tags:Ariel Sharon, Jacques Chirac, Vichy government, World War II, Nazis, racism, prejudice, Holocaust, Auschwitz, Muslims, Arabs, Israelis

Abstract
This paper attempts to explain some of the economic trends we have experienced in post-industrial societies by comparing and analyzing unionization and the power of collective bargaining in the United States, Europe, and the Pacific Rim.

From the Paper
"Overall, it can be said that union membership is the strongest among the democratic, industrialized nations of the west. Democracy and union membership in these countries can be said to be complimentary: countries such as Germany have strong worker participation both in corporate management and in the country's legislature. Whereas the experience of unions in the 19th and early 20th century was one of adversity between industry owners who wished to maximize profits and laborers who wished to maximize their benefits, concessions to the latter group have lead them to invest in the companies they work for. This has lead in many cases to a convergence of interests between the management of a company and its work force."

Tags:industry, democratic, communism, conservative, thatcher, chirac, manufacturers, workplace, benefits, pensions, wages