Flashcards: French Regimes and the Fifth Republic — 18 cards

First Empire — regime?

Centralized authoritarian regime by Napoleon Bonaparte

Second Empire — regime?

Authoritarian imperial regime led by Napoleon III

Consulat — regime?

Transitional regime with strong executive, led by Napoleon Bonaparte

1793 Constitution — aim?

Establish democratic regime with social rights, never implemented

Declaration of Rights 1793 — influence?

Embedded social and economic rights in later constitutions

Regimes 1791, 1795, 1848 — features?

Short-lived, introduced direct election and bicameralism

French regimes — pattern?

Centralized power, authoritarian tendencies, later constitutional stability

Crises — impact?

Led to creation of the Ve République for stability

Sovereignty — principle?

Resides with the people, exercised via elections

Separation of powers — principle?

Divides government into executive, legislative, judiciary

Government responsibility — to?

To Parliament, via votes of censure and policies

Judicial independence — importance?

Ensures fair law application, protects liberties

1958 Constitution — drafting?

Involved government, consultative committee, Council of State, referendum

Referendum — date?

September 4, 1958, with 80% approval

Presidential powers — key?

Election by direct suffrage, appointment, Article 16 powers

President — election system?

Two-round majority voting, since 1962

Presidential term — change?

From 7 years to 5 years in 2000

President — appointment?

Appoints Prime Minister, can dissolve Parliament, refer laws to Constitutional Council