Presentation

This class focuses on exploring the Institutions of the 5th Republic, from a historical perspective. Thus, the aim is to help students understand that those institutions are the product of a long and controversial constitutional history, and of course, that between the institutions of 1958 and those of today, many things have changed: First of all, much has changed not only in the constitutional text itself but also in the distribution of powers between the State, local authorities, the Constitutional Council and Europe; Secondly,  the sociology of the political "elites" has changed profoundly.

Recommended Prerequisite(s)

Good knowledge of French political life.  Good command of the constitutional history before the 5^th Republic. Good knowledge of the traditional classification of political regimes.

Bibliography

• Mélin-Souscramanien F., Pactet P., Droit Constitutionnel, Sirey, 36^e édition, 2018.
• Hamon F., Troper M., Droit Constitutionnel, LGDJ, 37^e édition, 2016-2017.
• Formery S.L., La Constitution commentée, Hachette Supérieur, les Fondamentaux, 2017.
• Lauvaux P., Les grandes démocraties contemporaines, PUF.
• Rousselier N., La Force de gouverner, PUF, 2016.

Educational formula

Students are expected to keep up to date with national and international political affairs so as to be able to apply the knowledge acquired through class to interpret current affairs.