Alistair Cole is Professor of European Politics in the Politics Department of the School of European Studies, Cardiff University and one of the UK's leading scholars of French politics.

'Cole's book is a tour de force bringing together up to date research perspective on public policy and governance together with clear pedagogical presentation of complex changes within France. Far from old debates and characterisation of French exceptionalism, the book provides a unique analysis of the governance of France, based upon massive field work, a systematic use of the main comparative European literature and an original fine grain understanding of social and political changes. From champagne producers, education elites, Britanny cultural leaders, to regulatory agencies or the Council of the state, a different French society is governed through the instruments of a restructured state.' Patrick Le Galès, Directeur de recherche au CNRS, CEVIPOF and Professor of Sociology and Public Policy, Sciences Po2, Paris

• Preface; 1. Governing France; 2. Reforming the state; 3. Decentralisation and local governance; 4. Europeanisation; 5. State capacity and public policy; 6. State-society relations; 7. Making sense of the state; 8. Governing and governance in France.

Alistair Cole is Professor of European Politics in the Politics Department of the School of European Studies, Cardiff University and one of the UK's leading scholars of French politics.

'Cole's book is a tour de force bringing together up to date research perspective on public policy and governance together with clear pedagogical presentation of complex changes within France. Far from old debates and characterisation of French exceptionalism, the book provides a unique analysis of the governance of France, based upon massive field work, a systematic use of the main comparative European literature and an original fine grain understanding of social and political changes. From champagne producers, education elites, Britanny cultural leaders, to regulatory agencies or the Council of the state, a different French society is governed through the instruments of a restructured state.' Patrick Le Galès, Directeur de recherche au CNRS, CEVIPOF and Professor of Sociology and Public Policy, Sciences Po2, Paris

• Preface; 1. Governing France; 2. Reforming the state; 3. Decentralisation and local governance; 4. Europeanisation; 5. State capacity and public policy; 6. State-society relations; 7. Making sense of the state; 8. Governing and governance in France.