French Government An Oligarchy Rather Than a Polyarchy Essay

The modern French government is a unique political entity like no other in history. In my research paper I aim to show that while Frances system of government appears democratic it is in actuality not. I plan to demonstrate it is more of an oligarchy than a polyarchy, polyarchy being fundamentally necessary for democracy. Drawing on research from conflict theorists I plan to show that France is not truly democratic. I plan to first draw a parallel between research on France as a pluralist state and Robert Dahls New Haven study by showing that France like New Haven appears to be a pluralist democracy. I then plan to show just as G. William Domhoff did with Dahls original study, that the same inequality in power exists in France as in New†¦show more content†¦Most of the democratic initiatives in France are spear headed by issue groups and pressure groups that are political in nature and not the type of organizations neo Tocquevillian Robert Putnam claims help create a strong democratic foundation. Putnams civil society of associations and fraternal organizations in the US focus on increasing social capital which leads to greater civic participation. These issue groups and pressure groups in France on the other hand are highly political, focused on well defined goals that are mutually beneficial to the interest of their members and often fade way after accomplishing their goals (Bell 2002:121-123). Putnams US examples while they did often championing political causes for their members, were also focused on creating a sense of familial cohesion amongst the members. That is not to say however that both forms of civic engagement dont create pluralist democracy through balance of power stemming from multiple power sources. In other words these pressure groups create the multiple power center necessary for polyarchy. Furthermore since a 1962 constitutional amendment, France has had a direct open democratic elections of leaders (Elgie and Griggs 2000:120). Th is allows for indirect influence from the apolitical stratum. It would seem to most observers France would fit into Robert Dahls definition of a pluralist democracy. You have multiple power centers competing and open elections for the