Fascism, Populism and the French Fifth Republic: In the Shadow of Democracy

How can a nation associated with the Declaration of the Rights of Man serve as the context for a successful populist party of the far right? This book brings to the fore the reasons behind this apparent paradox. Using the tools of comparative politics to examine the ideological components of the French Front National (FN) and the manner in which these have interacted with contemporary French institutions, the author argues that Fifth Republican France offers an ideal set of opportunities for Jean Marie Le Pen's party. Fieschi shows how, since 1958, French institutions have provided the FN with numerous ways in which to permeate French politics as well as how the FN and Jean Marie Le Pen in particular, organized the party's strategy in order to best respond to the opportunities offered.