Exceptional Socialists

'The French Socialists are the least known and least successful of Europe's major political parties. In none of its three periods of government since the famous victory of 1981 has it secured re-endorsement for a further term. Neither has it enjoyed the programmatic influence of the German Social Democratic Party post Godesberg nor the Third Way programme of the British Labour Party. As a party of expenditure its future looks distinctly fragile given its failure to provide a plausible alternative to the austerity policies of the right. The appointment of business friendly Prime Minister Manuel Valls is an important step but it is too early to say whether it will be successful. In this important book the UK's leading scholars of the French Socialists, David Bell and Byron Criddle, provide an indispensable guide to this most exceptional of parties.'

William E. Paterson OBE, Honorary Professor for German and European Politics, Aston University, UK