With its reputation for cultural preservation, Paris has the title of the most visited city in the world. In addition to its tourist economy, it also boasts growing technology, media, finance and research-centred industries, which have contributed to its global economic influence.

Christian Lefevre, one of France's leading political scientists, analyses the social and economic forces that have shaped Paris and which have differentiated it from other long-time megacities such as London and New York. He considers how the loss of jobs in industry in the 1970s and 1980s has inspired a post-Fordist shift to service and information sectors, yet concerns over social issues such as equality, environmental impact and adequate services have given rise to a French ambivalence towards promoting the city as a global economic competitor. The book examines the central role France's national government has played in shaping policies affecting the city and explores how the shift towards political decentralization and localism have contributed to a system increasingly incapable of taking collective action, giving rise to tensions concerning social issues, such as housing.

The book is an authoritative analysis of Paris's position, both globally and nationally, and the challenges that face its governance.