Badlands of the Republic

The relationship between space and politics is explored through a study of French urban policy. Drawing upon the political thought of Jacques Ranciere, this book proposes a new agenda for analyses of urban policy, and provides the first comprehensive account of French urban policy in English. This is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive account of French urban policy. Badlands of the Republic offers a fresh approach to space and politics, while providing insights into the politics of immigration and the contemporary transformations of the state in France. The author not only proposes a new way of looking at urban policy, but also challenges overarching generalizations that are based almost exclusively on the British and North American experience. This resource provides analysis on the revolts in the “banlieues” of French cities in 2005 and covers a variety of other topics related to contemporary citizenship and immigration. Its rich empirical material derives from sources that go beyond mere investigation of official documents. It is the only thorough account of French urban policy written in English. The relationship between space and politics is explored through a study of French urban policy. Drawing upon the political thought of Jacques Rancière, this book proposes a new agenda for analyses of urban policy, and provides the first comprehensive account of French urban policy in English. Essential resource for contextualizing and understanding the revolts occurring in the French 'badland' neighbourhoods in autumn 2005 Challenges overarching generalizations about urban policy and contributes new research data to the wider body of urban policy literature Identifies a strong urban and spatial dimension within the shift towards more nationalistic and authoritarian policy governing French citizenship and immigration