The relationship between space and politics is explored through a study of French urban policy. Drawing upon the political thought of Jacques Ranci re, this book proposes a new agenda for analyses of urban policy, and provides the first comprehensive account of French urban policy in English. Essential resource for contextualizing and understanding the revolts occurring in the French badland neighbourhoods in autumn 2005 Challenges overarching generalizations about urban policy and contributes new research data to the wider body of urban policy literature Identifies a strong urban and spatial dimension within the shift towards more nationalistic and authoritarian policy governing French citizenship and immigration