Conservative Socialism: The Decline of Radicalism and the Triumph of the Left in France

This work on the decline of French radicalism was conceived after the fall of the Berlin Wall as an essay on the decay of the revolutionary idea in European politics. The theme provided an organizing principle for articles on the evolution of the French left in the wake of events for which it was politically and intellectually unprepared. This background provided the grounds for the volume on a French socialist regime in power, but more uncertain of its mission than at any other time in its history. The paradox of French radicalism is that when it was out of office, it was quite certain about its mission, when it attained power, it lost its sense of mission, and hence the proper uses of power.