"Une histoire du conflit politique. Élections et inégalités sociales en France, 1789-2022" is an in-depth examination of the interplay between electoral behaviors and social inequalities in France over more than two centuries. Authored by a dream-team of historians and social scientists – Thomas Piketty and Julia Cagé - the book traces the evolution of the French political landscape from the Revolution of 1789 to the present day, analyzing how changes in social structure, economic conditions, and political institutions have influenced voting patterns.

The book argues that the history of French elections cannot be fully understood without considering the broader context of social inequalities. It explores how different social groups, such as workers, peasants, the bourgeoisie, and elites, have participated in the electoral process and how their voting preferences have shaped political outcomes. The authors highlight key moments in French history, such as the establishment of universal suffrage, the rise of political parties, the impact of wars and economic crises, and the transformation of the left-right divide.

One of the central themes of the book is the idea that the French political system has evolved from a tripartite structure (comprising the left, center, and right) to a bipolar system (dominated by the left and right), and now faces a new era of fragmentation and crisis. The political tripartition resulting from the 2022 elections, saw a central bloc composed of a socially advantaged electorate in contrast to fragmented urban and rural working classes. To fully grasp the significance of this divide, it's essential to consider historical precedents, particularly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries when similar tripartite divisions existed before the more stable bipolarization took hold. This transition, according to the authors, reflects deeper shifts in social inequalities and voter alignments. They argue that the current political crisis in France, marked by the rise of populist movements and declining trust in traditional parties, is rooted in these long-term historical processes.

The book is richly illustrated with maps, graphs, and tables and all the data collected has been made available online. Check it out – here.