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Choice and Democratic Order: The French Socialist Party, 1937-1950 by B. D. Graham

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Choice and Democratic Order: The French Socialist Party, 1937-1950 B. D. Graham
Language: English
Page: 446
Format: pdf
ISBN: 0521414024, 9780511521836
Publisher:

Review

"The value of this book lies essentially in three dimensions. First, it offers a clear picture of the changing balance of power inside the SFIO during this period, not only in the horizontal dimension of groups and factions but also from the vertical perspective of local federations. Second, it demonstrates compellingly under what conditions internal divisions come to a head and what factions made possible the different outcomes in 1938 and 1946; in this respect, the importance of firm and decisive leadership is rightly pinpointed. Finally, and more broadly, it provides an engrossing portrait of the politcal culture of French Socialism, and particularly the manner in which the party sought (without always succeeding) to reconcile apparently conflicting aspirations and values: revolution and reform, unity and diversity, working-class loyalty and middle-class support." Journal of Modern History

"This is a story which has been told before, but never in quite as exhaustive detail as in Choice and the Democratic Order. The book has been a long time in the making, beginning life as a postgraduate research project carried out between 1958 and 1962. It complements Graham's earlier study, The French Socialists and Tripartisme, published in 1965. No previous scholar has demonstrated Graham's mastery of the massive body of official party literature-- debates, resolutions, motions, tracts, conference reports and the like--and his blow-by-blow account of the internal power struggles of 1938 and 1946 may be regarded as definitive." Times Literary Supplement

"...historians will find the study as a whole to be a penetrating inquiry into the French Socialist Party's structure, functioning, doctrinal ambiguities, personality clashes, and relationships with other parties,,,set in a meaningful broader context. Graham, moreover, has energetically tracked down the relevant documents, many at the level of the party's departmental federations, and has effectively used a wide variety of secondary accounts as well." Joel Colton, American Historical Review

"Choice and Democratic Order is an excellent, extremely detailed guide thorugh the convoluted internal politics of the French Socialist Party (SFIO) during a crucial period in the party's history from 1937-1950....The book serves several useful purposes." Lunne Taylor, Social History

Book Description

A detailed analysis of internal conflict within the French Socialist Party during a period of major upheaval, which nonetheless emphasizes continuity as much as change. Professor Graham shows key figures in recent French history like Leon Blum and Guy Mollet working within the complex structures of their party.