L’eclatement de l’offre politique: Les elections europeennes de juin 1999

The European elections in France in June 1999 were held in a context dominated by the confused state of national political parties, and against the background of the continuing Kosovo crisis. The elections reflected to a considerable degree the fragmentary nature of party politics in France. The Left is composed of a coalition of diverse parties, including the Greens (Verts), while the Right is in disarray, both in the mainstream and on the margins. This article provides an analytical overview of the campaign and results.     

Transition from Shell to Skeleton in Ancient Mediterranean Ship‐Construction: analysis,problems, and future research

During the 1st millennium AD ship‐construction changed. Previously, ships were built ‘shell‐first’—strakes were installed before frames, giving the hull its shape and integrity. About the mid‐1st millennium AD the concept and construction of hulls changed to being shaped by transverse frames fixed to the keel, reinforced by longitudinal members. During the transition varying combinations of the two technologies were used. It has been widely accepted that the transition was completed by the beginning of the 2nd millennium. Recent discoveries, mainly in Dor/Tantura lagoon and lately in Yenikap?, analyses of other hulls, and reassessment of evidence, indicate an earlier completion of the transition. Since this process was the result of many factors, including economic and social, and occurred in different areas of the Mediterranean at different times, no simple linear development is suggested, but a more complex process, which raises questions for future research. © 2012 The Authors     

La guerre d'Algérie quarante ans après: Connaissances et reconnaissance

Jacques Chirac was re-elected president in May 2002 with a huge majority. Principally this was due to the impressive showing of Jean-Marie Le Pen as a presidential candidate in the first-round vote. This article, by examining the results and studying the nature of the campaign and the personalities involved, provides an overview of both the presidential and the general (legislative) elections. Although, on the surface, it might have appeared that the French political system had reverted to type—a strong right-wing president combined with a right-wing government—careful analysis allows a number of structural problems to be highlighted.