Local Politics and Participation in Britain and France [Paperback]

This book provides a unique comparative study of the involvement of average citizens in local politics and government between national elections.Local participation can and does influence the political process. Local Politics and Participation in Britain and France, first published in 1990 provides a unique comparative study of the involvement of average citizens in local politics and government between national elections.Local participation can and does influence the political process. Local Politics and Participation in Britain and France, first published in 1990 provides a unique comparative study of the involvement of average citizens in local politics and government between national elections.Drawing on surveys of citizens as well as on interviews with local leaders in France and Britain, this book looks at participation in day-to-day local politics in both countries. The work is less concerned with voting than with spheres of action--particularly the extent to which people contact their local representatives about problems, complain to officials, form groups, and protest decisions. The salient differences between the two local government systems, both of which have experienced significant changes in recent decades, is explored. A series of case studies examines levels of individual and group political participation, the mobilization of people into single issue protest groups, the links between councillors and the local electorate, and the importance of the local context to participation patterns.List of figures and tables; Preface; Part I. Scope and Context: 1. People and local politics: themes and concepts Albert Mabileau, George Moyser, Geraint Parry and Patrick Quantin; 2. Local government in Britain and local politics and administration in France Albert Mabileau; Part II. Participation: Introduction; 3. Participation and non-participation in a French town Patrick Quantin; Conclusion; Part III. Political Mobilisation: Introduction; 5. Political mobilisatl£$