Editors’ Introduction

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size

Notes

Notes

1 The onomatopoeic term “bling-bling” was initially coined in the US with reference to the sound of ostentatious jewelry favored by African American rappers. It was first applied to Nicolas Sarkozy by Le Point shortly before his election as president with reference to his taste for American-style conspicuous consumption and subsequently gained widespread currency during Sarkozy's whirlwind romance with former fashion model Carla Bruni. See Véronique Mortaigne, “Une expression dans l’air du temps” and “N’est pas bling-bling qui veut,” in Le Monde 17 February 2008.

2 “A Epinal, Nicolas Sarkozy inscrit ses projets institutionnels dans la tradition gaulliste,” in Le Monde 12 July 2007.

3 On the leadership of the Fifth Republic, see the article by Alistair Cole.

4 Marie-France Garaud, La Fête des fous. Qui a tué la Ve République? (Paris: Plon, 2006); Dominique Rousseau, La Ve République se meurt (Paris: Odile Jacob, 2007).