This book examines the ways in which France's relations with the international community have evolved in a period of accelerating globalization. It considers the role of the nation state, and its capacity for political initiative, examining French strategies to reinforce French influence on the world stage.

MAIRI MACLEAN is Professor of International Business at Bristol Business School, UWE, UK. She was previously Reader in European Business at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. Her recent books include Business Elites and Corporate Governance in France and the UK (with Charles Harvey and Jon Press) and Economic Management and French Business from de Gaulle to Chirac.

JOSEPH SZARKA is Reader in European Studies in the Department of European Studies, University of Bath, UK. His research interests are in politics and policy studies, specialising in environmental, economic and energy policy-making. His recent publications include The Shaping of Environmental Policy in France and Wind Power in Europe: Politics, Business and Society.