The eleventh volume of the France Yearbook, which we present here, continues an initiative of the working group on social science research on France at the Franco-German Institute. The yearbook aims to contribute to a better understanding of France for a broader audience. It is not intended as a collection of specialized studies; these should continue to appear where they belong: in the journals of individual academic disciplines. The France Yearbook moves forward. It seeks to uncover connections and present them in a way that is enlightening for all those engaged in politics, economics, culture, and education related to French issues, or who are generally interested in our most important neighbor. In other words, it aims to provide the background knowledge necessary for understanding.