Summary
"France and Britain are European neighbours with distinct policing styles and traditions reflected in their differing approaches to public order policing. This thesis examines and compares this policing discipline in these countries. Focusing on the institutional and operational dimensions within their historical, social and political contexts, it identifies convergence and divergence of approaches. Using an enhanced version of David Waddington's 'Flashpoints' model as an analytic framework, the thesis adopts a mainly qualitative approach, drawing data from a review of relevant literature, semi-structured 'elite' interviews, participant observations and case studies. A number of key findings are produced, based on the assumption that a state must possess an effective policing function for it to honour its sovereign and civic responsibilities."--Abstract.