The demise of the French Communist Party (PCF) has been a recurrent feature of overviews of the Left in France for the past two decades, and yet the Communists survive. This study examines the factors that undermined the position of the PCF as the premier party of France, but also highlights the challenges that the party faces in a society disillusioned with politics, and the new strategies that it is developing in order to revive its fortunes.

'Raymond's book thus complements the works of Jacques Fauvet, François Fejtö, Philippe Robrieux, Maxwell Adereth, Irwin Wall, Marc Lazar, and others. Scholars will find this book useful as a resource. Instructors of history and political science should also consider Raymond's book for use in the classroom, as he provides a sophisticated analysis of one of France's most complex political parties.' - W. Brian Newsome, H-France Review

Autorentext
GINO G. RAYMOND is Reader in French Studies at the University of Bristol, UK. His research focuses on contemporary France, with publications that include France during the Socialist Years (editor, 1994), André Malraux: Politics and the Temptation of Myth (1995), Structures of Power in Modern France (editor, 1995), A Historical Dictionary of France (1998) and Redefining the French Republic (co-editor, 2005).

Inhalt
Introduction PART I: THE PREMIER PARTY OF FRANCE Political Credibility Dynamics of the Counter-Culture The Anti-System Party PART II: THE SEEDS OF FAILURE The Rise of the Socialists Failing the Presidential Challenge Speaking for the Party: George Marchais and the Discourse of Declining Authority PART III: A PARTY WITHOUT A ROLE? A Tale of Clashing Counter-Cultures The End of Ideology