La France dans ma poche

Having long been interested in sociology and particularly in the phenomenon of integration, I find that the success of this does not only depend on the physical installation on the territory but requires more the adherence of the individual to the way of life, to the founding values, and, to a certain extent, requires the feeling of identification with the history of the nation that welcomes him and the will to participate in its destiny and contribute to its future.

In other words, acculturation, which is the cultural confrontation between the individual and the society that hosts him, must lead him towards a sense of belonging to the rules of conduct and values of this society.

Thus, an individual cannot integrate into the host society without ensuring perfect socio-cultural and professional integration.

For this, I think that the individual must make 2 great efforts of integration. The 1st effort is on itself, an effort that I qualify as internal. While the 2nd effort, it must do it towards the society that hosts it, an effort that I qualify as external.  

Internal effort is a work on oneself that leads the individual to integrate, culturally, intellectually and emotionally, the values and culture of the host society. This involves socialization, which is the mechanism by which we internalize social relations, assimilate the values, norms and rules of life of society. It is a long learning that takes place throughout life and, through different agents of socialization, which help the individual to learn the rules of conduct of society.

This integration effort is often achieved through knowledge and belonging to the culture and values of the host society. It is integration that I call socio-cultural.

While the 2nd approach of integration, which the individual must make towards the nation he has chosen, consists in participating in the economic and social development of this nation. It is also belonging to the principle of fraternity and solidarity among citizens. It is a republican pact in which each citizen must participate, to the extent of his means, in the national effort, in the financing of public services and institutions, by paying the taxes that are used to finance the army, the police, justice, schools, hospitals, research, infrastructure,… etc.

This integration effort is often achieved through work and participation in social and cultural life, through civil society associations. It is integration that I call socio-professional.

The success of these different stages of integration obviously requires a deep knowledge by the individual of the host society.

That’s how I made the decision to write this integration guide to help people like me, from different countries and cultures, help them to successfully integrate and to have a solid knowledge of the history of France, its geography, its habits and customs, its values, its very varied culture and its political and legal system.

The France is a democratic Republic where the Head of State, the President of the Republic, is elected by universal suffrage open to all French citizens (men and women aged 18).

However, it should be noted that the advent of the Republic was gradual and that it is the fruit of several struggles, over several centuries.

Indeed, the Republican regime is the form of government currently in force in France. However, the choice of this regime was not obvious. The constitutional history of the France was tormented from 1789 to 1958, with three constitutional monarchies, two empires and five republics.

It was with the institution of the Third Republic that the Republican regime became a lasting part of mentalities, notably under the impetus of Jules Ferry who passed school laws making school free, secular and compulsory. On the one hand, it promoted the development of civil liberties and, on the other, an active colonial policy.

At first, Republican Institutions strictly limited executive power, as opposed to royal absolutism.

But this balance of power proved to be a serious handicap, when the France had to face, from 1914, a series of major tests.

The following chapters highlight each of these steps. They shed light on the great historical moments experienced by the France. We limit ourselves to the period between two great emblematic figures of the France ranging from Joan of Arc (1412 – 1431) to General Charles De Gaulle (1890 – 1970), author of the current Fifth Republic, through the abolition of royalty, the advent of the Revolution and the two Napoleonic Empires.