When "Civil Society" Enters Politics - Books by Francis Mer and Luc Ferry, two Former French Ministers

Against the background of economic problems in France that have now persisted for several decades and that no government of any political complexion has managed to solve satisfactorily – as was shown at the end of February 2005 when the unemployment rate once again rose above the worrying threshold of 10% of the economically active population – the appointment to the French government in June 2002 of two ministers who were not professional politicians raised the hopes of some commentators. With the arrival of Francis Mer – previously chief executive of the firm Usinor – and Luc Ferry – a philosopher and writer – “civil society” entered the world of political decision-makers. Would this be a more effective way of undertaking reforms and explaining them to voters? Unfortunately, less than two years later, both men were let go in circumstances that left them puzzled and led them, some months later, to examine their experiences as non-elected appointees surrounded by professional politicians who were constantly worried about their media image since the prospect of elections was never far away. Michel Drancourt has read both books – Vous, les politiques… (You, the Politicians), Paris: Albin Michel, 2005; Comment peut-on être ministre? Essai sur la gouvernabilité des démocraties (How to be a Minister? Essay on the Governability of Democracies), Paris: Plon, 2005 – for Futuribles. Here he presents the main ideas and expresses some concerns about the efficiency of the French style of government.