Cultural Analysis
History of France

While the typical example of a nation-state, France carries a varied and culturally rich historical identity spawning from its centuries of growth. France’s birth as a nation, though difficult to date, seems to center around the conversion to Christianity by King Clovis in 496 A.D. following through to the later part of the century with the coronation of Hugh Carpet in 987. The Carpetian dynasty, which reigned for almost 900 years, came to an end in 1789 with the declaration of France as a nation by the people and the French revolution.
In 843 A.D., the Treaty of Verdun roughly divided most of what is now Western Europe into the three territories of France, Germany, and Italy which was given to the 3 grandsons of Charlemagne. The three territories were ruled primarily in peace, France by Phillip Valois, until 1338 and the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War. Through the war, France won provinces that had been held by the Plantagenet king of England. Protestantism spread rapidly throughout the 16th century coinciding with civil wars throughout the nation due to religious differences. The king, Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes granting religious freedom to the French Protestants, Huguenots, bringing an end to the religiously prompted civil wars.
The centuries that followed, marked with territorial squabbles, diverse styles of ruling, and growth throughout the country, paled in comparison to the reign of Louis XIV. Monarchy had reached its pinnacle during this time period and the French court, considered the “center of the Western World,” brought significant recognition to the nation. Unfortunately, costly foreign wars had taken their toll on the already unsteady government as well as the young king resulting in the unrest of the French peasantry. On what is now know as Bastille Day in 1789, an angry mob of French peasants stormed the Bastille in Paris bringing an end to the centuries of monarchial government.
Authoritarianism began under Napoleon Bonaparte; however, in 1815 the Congress of Vienna pushed to return France to pre-Napoleonic time. Due to the installation of the middle class as well as industrialization, the motion by the Congress was futile and resulted in the driving of Louis Philippe out of France in 1848 and Napoleon III’s claiming of the throne. His coronation, however, was soon to come to an end with his defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the beginning of the 3rd Republic.
The aftermath of World War I saw France as the dominate European power. Its attempts to keep Germany weak failed, however, and on May 10, 1940, Nazi troops took over Paris, splitting the country into North and South France. Over four years later, Allied troops freed the country and a provisional government headed by Charles de Gaulle started to pull the pieces of the once glorious nation back into place. A new constitution, adopted on September 28, 1958, gave way for the election of a new president and eventually the modern, laissez-faire, ideas that now dominate the French style of government.

Geographical

France, located in Western Europe and bordered by the Bay of Biscay, English Channel, Belgium, Spain, Germany, The Mediterranean Sea, Luxemburg, and Switzerland, contains a generally mild climate. Cool winters are followed by mild summers except for the areas surrounding the Mediterranean. In those areas, the winters are much milder and follow much hotter summers. An occasional strong wind, called a mistral, will sweep its way across the country, bringing cold, dry air across the land. The land is primarily mountainous; however, the northern and western portions of the country start from the sea and progress into flat plains and then gently rolling hills.

Social Institutions
Family

The family in France plays a primary role in the development of self. Due to the lack of marriages as well as the increased rates of divorce, the percentage of married adults in the nation has greatly decreased over the past 50 years resulting in increasing percentages of unmarried men and women. Cohabitation, births out of wedlock, single parents, and “recomposed” families have replaced the once cultural norm of the family. Consequently, the extended family plays great importance in the cultural survival of the nation. When families are broken apart due to divorce and/or out of wedlock births, grandparents primarily keep the family connected through financial and organizational/planning means. They provide the link to aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. that otherwise would be loss due to increasingly prevalent fractured homes.

Education

The French education system, which has gone through radical development due largely in part to the increase in persons pursuing education beyond college, has responded strongly to the need for well educated and skilled working society. The socialistic style of education has opened the doors for the regular person, not just the elite, to attend university and then play a major role in the socio-economic portion of the country.
In 2003 alone, educational spending reached a high of 103.6 billion Euro, an astonishingly 6.9% of the GDP and 37.8% of the national budget representing 6,500 Euro per student. Over 12 million students, almost 750,000 teachers, and upwards of 69,000 preschools, primary schools, colleges and lycees puts the Student/Teacher ratio at a surprising 16:2:1. The pass rate for the BAC, also astonishing, lies at over 80%. In concerns to higher education, over 2 million students study in 87 universities and 3,600 other higher education establishments with 74,094 teachers spread throughout thus placing the ratio at respectable 29:8:1 (student to teacher to facility).

Political System

The modern French government and constitution, republic in essence, was adopted on September 28, 1958 by referendum and became effective on October 4 of that same year. The political parties are as follows: MRC, RDSE (PRG), PCF, PRG (PRS), MPF, FN, PS, and UDF (UMP).
Voting rights, universally given at age 18, allow for the election of such individuals as the President who, elected by popular vote, serves a 5-year term. Three branches comprise the government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The chief of state (president), head of government (prime minister), and cabinet (Council of Ministers) comprise the executive branch while a bicameral parliament comprises the legislative branch. The Parliament contains of 331 seats of senate that consist of both metropolitan and overseas department seats. The Supreme Court of Appeals resides over the judicial branch. Judges are appointed by the president, the president of the National Assembly, and the president of the Senate.

Social Organization

Since the Revolution and the development of the middle class due to the industrial and economic stages throughout France’s history, much diversity has social distinguished the nation. During more recent years, France opened its borders to many of its principalities as well as other nations such as those of Northern Africa. Many conservative groups even within the government have fought to rescind the openness of the country to foreign persons; however, the modern, more liberal, groups continue to allow for the entry of foreign persons into France. With the dramatic numbers of foreigners entering the country, the already distinct culture of France has gone through a mini-revolution. Though minorities, Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, and Basque subcultures have emerged as significant factors in daily life and politics.

Business Customs and Practices

Business, in France, greatly reflects the lifestyle of the people. Transactions and interactions are conducted slowly; however, formality is still necessary. For example, appointments, a requirement, should be scheduled at least two weeks in advanced. Dress in the workplace is very dependent upon the place in which one works yet always stylish and understated. At the first meeting, conservative, dark-colored suits are considered optimal. After the initial meeting however, more modern apparel may be worn depending on the personality of the company. Women also wear suits or elegant dresses primarily in soft colors.