Law reinforcing the respect of republican principles in France. A return of assimilation?

Abstract

This paper addresses the evolution of the Republic of France’s integration policy, from the end of the 19th century to date, and the new bill entitled «law reinforcing the respect of republican principles». Providing historical and legal perspectives, it clarifies the basis and aims of the French practice. The analysis shows that assimilation is the extension of the republican project of French nation unification and that it is now partially reappearing after a liberal interlude enabling minority advocacy. It opens with an overview of the ideological in which assimilation emerged and delves into the way this political model rose and the declined in the sixties. Finally, it discusses whether and to what extent the new law signals the return of assimilation.