France Its International Trendy Styles Fashion in the Global Market

France -- stability

L. Jones

France: Fashion in the Global Market

Whenever one considers the place of fashion as an industry within a specific nation, it is essential to consider several factors. Despite today's globalizing fashion industry (which is following all sectors of industry), individual "country factors," including the relative stability of the country as a whole, the nature of its political organization, administrative structure, as well as its legislative, and judiciary s systems all play a role in the health of the fashion industry within that nation. In the case of France, the country holds a unique place in the collective "imagination" of fashion. Indeed, many consider France to be the epicenter of the industry as a whole. Because of its unique and pivotal position respecting fashion, it is essential to understand the "country factors" of this nation, and how they contribute to the stability of the country.

The political organization of France is composed of a "semi-presidential" republic, headed under the current president Jacques Chirac. Interestingly, the founding of the current "presidential" system in France is relatively new, whereas the appointed "leader" of the nation prior to 1958 (post-revolution of course), was the prime minister. However, even today, the real power within the country continues to be at the hands of the prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin and his elected government (although the president has great power over matters of foreign policy), who wields his power under the guidelines of a "Unitary Republic."

The specific structure of this unitary republic, including its constitutional details, includes several interesting points. First, France's unitary system allows for a kind of fusion between the so called parliamentary system and the presidential system. Specifically, this means that, although the authority of parliament is far reaching in the nation (and, here, parliament is similar to the United States Congress), the president hold's several crucial powers in addition to those of foreign policy. This is intended to be a safeguard against abuses of power, similar to the division of authority found in the United States. Indeed, under the present system, the president of France (since 1958), has the authority to both dissolve the National Assembly, and to choose the prime minister (remember, the figure who holds most of the "practical" power within the country). However, once the prime minister is chosen, the presidential power is balanced by the prime minister and his authority over the Council of Ministers, as well as the majority party within the National Assembly.

The actual workings of the pairing of the prime minister and president as a kind of "dual head of state" system is fairly complex. The real level presidential power is determined by the support of a parliamentary majority. If he has this support, he generally has the support of the prime minister, and thus, a greater level of "real power" within the country, itself. However, if the president does not hold the majority in parliament, the prime minister is still elected from the parliamentary majority. This acts as another kind of "check and balance" in the system.

The constitution of France ensures that the nation, itself, belongs to "the people," and not to the leaders of the country. Like the United States, the citizens of France have the right to vote in elections. An interesting fact concerning the presidential election is that the term under which any individual may hold the office of president is five years, one year longer than the United States. Further, unlike the United States, there is no limit to the number of times a person can be reelected to office.

The "on the ground" administrative structure is not as fragmented as many imagine. Although the concept of a monarchy like "central command" for all internal issues and concerns runs contrary to the goals of the Revolution, the national administration of the country remains fully planted in Paris. Although "reforms introduced in recent decades have transferred some powers to local authorities, but many of France's major policy decisions are still made in the nation's capital." However, this characteristic of French government is slowly changing. Consider the following:

Under pressure from growing demands for increased regional and local control, the French government took some steps toward decentralization of authority in the 1960s and 1970s. One important step, in 1970, was the creation of 22 administrative regions. Then, in 1982, President Francois Mitterrand initiated a major effort to transfer real decision-making powers and budgetary authority to locally elected officials. Since then, regional and local governments have gradually gained control over a range of economic, social, and cultural matters.

France's legislative system is bicameral. It is divided into two houses, the 577-member National Assembly and the 321-member Senate. Like in the United States, the legislative system is designed to discuss and make laws. Further, the legislature is charged with ensuring the limits of executive authority (also like the United States).

The practical details of the legislative arm of the French government include its division into two "houses," the Senate, or the upper house, and the National Assembly, or the lower house. The two houses, in theory, share equal legislative power, however:

legislative authority is tilted to the National Assembly, since the Senate may delay, but not prevent, the passage of legislation. If the two chambers disagree on a bill, final decision rests with the National Assembly, which may either accept the Senate's version or, after a specified period, readopt its own.

Further, both of these arms are operated on a "majority vote" basis -- including the election of its members, who may remain in position for five-year terms.

Finally, the Judiciary branch of government in France is led by an independent constitutional council. This council consists of nine members, charged with overseeing the validity of elections, referenda, legislative laws, and parliamentary procedures. The members of this council are appointed (like in the U.S. system) by the president, National Assembly and the Senate. These appointments last for nine years, and are not renewable. Interestingly, all former French presidents are entitled to memberships on the council.

A further distinction of the French judiciary is that it has two main branches that divide cases between administrative types (involving government), and the normal civil and criminal cases. As a further "check and balance" measure, judges in the criminal, civil, and administrative courts cannot be removed from their positions without "cause" by the executive or legislative branches of government. Further, like the United States system, the French judiciary refers all appellate cases through a system of higher courts, all the way up to the "supreme court-like" Council of State (founded by Napoleon Bonaparte), which further oversees the legality of governmental decisions.