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How has French society been made, by whom and why? And how in turn has it influenced the French? This book sets out the institutionalized rules and norms that continue to structure France, together with the ‘political work’ that has recently changed or reproduced these power relations.
Exploring a range of age groups and types of social activity, including work, business, entertainment, political mobilizations and retirement, Made in France examines where significant change has occurred over the last four decades. Smith argues that while transformation has occurred in France's financial and education sectors, only relatively marginal shifts have occurred elsewhere in French society. To explain this pattern of continuity and isolated change, the book strongly nuances claims that neo-liberalism, globalization or a rise in populism have been its causes. References to these trends have impacted upon French politics to varying extents, Smith argues; however, France continues to be dominated by issues which are specific to the country and linked to its deep societal structures and history. Smith provides a comprehensive account of French society and politics and in doing so proposes an insightful analytical framework applicable to the comparative analysis of other nations.
Andy Smith
Andy Smith has been making theatre and performance professionally since 2003 (operating and presenting work between 2003 and 2013 under the name a smith). In this time he has been involved in creating a large body of solo works for theatre. These pieces are characteristically simple and accessible in form, but unafraid to approach and address big and complex subjects. His most recent solo projects are all that is solid melts into air (2011) and commonwealth (2012), which since 2013 have toured as a double bill under the collective title two from a smith. More information on these projects can be found below. Along with Karl James, Andy is also the co-director of the award winning plays An Oak Tree, ENGLAND and The Author by Tim Crouch. Most recently, this collaboration has produced what happens to the hope at the end of the evening (2013), a commission for The Almeida Theatre, as well as the world premiere of Tim's latest play Adler & Gibb at The Royal Court in 2014. In 2014 Andy completed an AHRC funded practice-as-research PhD at Lancaster University, where he has also taught courses in theatre practice, performance composition, and contemporary European theatre. His latest project, The Preston Bill, has been commissioned by Fuel as part of their project New Theatre in Your Neighbourhood, which aims to find better ways to tour work and develop audiences around the UK. The piece will receive its premiere at The New Continental in Preston in October 2015 before touring, with a number of work-in-development performances taking place before that.
More by Andy Smith
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