The notion of French exceptionalism is deeply embedded in the nation's self-image and in a range of political and academic discourses. Recently, the debate about whether France really is "exceptional" has acquired a critical edge. Against the background of introspection about the nature of "national identity," some proclaim "normalisation" and the end of French exceptionalism, while others point out to the continuing evidence that France remains distinctive at a number of levels, from popular culture to public policy. This book explores the notion of French exceptionalism, places it in its European context, examines its history and evaluate its continuing relevance in a range of fields from politics and public policy to popular culture and sport.

An illuminating portrait of France's youngest ever President and what his victory means for Europe and the world

Analyzes the notion of the French exception and the ways in which it has informed both academic analysis and political commentary on France today. Adopting a comparative and interdisciplinary approach it examines the resilience of the notion of French exceptionalism and evaluates its relevance in a changing domestic and global context.

This is the first book to examine whether France’s ongoing defence of the cultural exception as a means to maintain cultural policies and defend cultural diversity is justifiable in the digital age. It questions whether the arrival of new players such as Apple and Netflix makes defence impossible, and whether an explosion in the number of films available makes policies for cultural promotion increasingly unnecessary. The book takes a critical look at French film policy to establish whether it promotes cultural diversity across cinema and video on demand and the implications for ongoing defence of the cultural exception. Sarah Walkley ultimately makes the case for a more disciplined approach to discussion of the cultural exception and cultural diversity in France supporting ideological arguments about competition, freedom of expression, consumer choice and national identity with concrete evidence of the success of French policies in countering US film market dominance.

Introduction -- International domination by the U.S. film industry -- The Lang years -- European film policy and television without frontiers -- Gatt -- From Canal+ to Canal? -- Bilan(s) -- From cultural exception to cultural diversity -- Was the experience beneficial? -- Conclusion

Christofferson argues that French anti-totalitarianism was the culmination of direct-democratic critiques of communism & revisions of the revolutionary project after 1956. He offers an alternative interpretation for the denunciation of communism & Marxism by the French intellectual left in the late 1970s.

For a long time, France and its culture have been one and the same. However, of this past glory, all that is left today is navel-gazing, nostalgia and timidity. Covering art, fashion, philosophy, literature and cinema, Donald Morrison argues that French culture no longer has the kind of international standing it once did.