Cynthia Ghorra-Gobin

is director of research at the CNRS (National Council of Scientific Research) in Paris. Her research deals with spatial impact of globalization at the local level and stresses a comparative perspective. Recent publications include Los Angeles: The unifinished American myth (Paris: CNRS editions 2002); Cities and urban societies in the United States (Paris: Colin 2003); and The unsustainable city (with A Berque and Ph. BOnin, Paris: Belin 2006). She is a regular contributor to Esprit.

Articles

Political representation as response to urban rioting

A comparative perspective

The French system of assimilation was effective so long as it was concerned with creating a homogenous population whose members would have lifetime job security. However, the assimilation model is no longer appropriate for the contemporary situation, hence the need for a comparative perspective. A “French multiculturalism” based on contemporary social and economic conditions could well be adapted to the French tradition; this would need to go along with a rethinking of the system of political representation.