In France, the question of citizenship has an important place in the public debate on immigration. These passionate debates are a reflection of the current controversies over the meanings given to  values such as “secularism”, “universalism”, “equality” or “community”, and the shape they take in social and political reality.

To what extent the references to “secularism” and “integration” affect institutional practices? Is it possible to reduce the culture of citizenship to the existence of a national public culture? In short, how do we understand  the French “republican model” today?

Based on field surveys carried out in public institutions, such as the army and the hospital, Christophe Bertossi offers an unprecedented look at what French-style citizenship is, surpassing common dichotomies between republicanism and multiculturalism, secularism and communitarianism, public and private, values and practices.

Publication details and link to source: Christophe Bertossi, ‘La citoyenneté à la française. Valeurs et réalités [French-style Citizenship. Values and Realities]’, CNRS Editions, 2016.