The State and the Left in modern France : historiographical essay.

Abstract

French historians have recently begun to pursue the history of left-wing politics in a manner which suggests that the Marxist frame of reference has begun to disappear, even in this field of history. The eminent historian and public intellectual Pierre Rosanvallon is leading the way in the field of political and intellectual history, through his sustained examination of the State and the ongoing debate about French democracy. The connection between history and current political discourse is important, and it is significant that historians are attempting to revise common perceptions of the evolution of French political institutions. Wide areas of new research have been opened out and this article hopes to offer some reflections on how these new approaches to French political history may be used in future research.