Interest Groups in France and Europe

Abstract

Relations between state and society in Europe tend to vary greatly and are often based on compromises negotiated over centuries that have evolved only slowly over time. This is why the very foundations of modern democracies in Europe often reflect particular attitudes of the state toward organized economic and societal interests—attitudes which in many cases continue to exist today. The compromises negotiated are therefore the fruit of the specific history of each country which explains why there is such a great variety of models throughout Europe.