Phoenix Ascendant: French Higher Education and Its Significance for Research and Learning for Library, Book, Print, and Media Culture History

Cultural interests possess and express transcendent power, whether it be effete or popular preoccupations. The rise of mass consumer ism and mass entertainment among industrial and postindustrial na tions has exerted an unbridled and unmistakable influence on higher education as well as library and information services, wherever these institutions exist. In a society and culture as highly articulated and as hoary as France, such conditions are complex and certainly nu anced. Unlike most national education systems, France possesses a highly centralized system emanating from Paris. Most governmental structures are situated on a national basis via centralizing authority and prerogative. All ministries focus their raison d'etre within the nexus that is Paris.