Comparative Administrative Models: USA vs. France

Anglo-Saxon Administrative Model: USA

• More flexible, without a rigid hierarchical pyramid structure.
• Composed of various secretarial organs, which can be:
  • Unipersonal (e.g., the Presidency)
  • Collegial (e.g., the Cabinet)
  The distinction lies in the number of individuals forming the organ.
• These secretariats typically do not possess rule-making power, unlike ministers in the French model.
• Peripheral Administration: Belongs to the national executive but exercises power only within a specific territory at its level.

French Administrative Model

• France operates as a unitary state, where political power primarily resides at the national level, under a semi-presidential system.

National Level

• Executive Branch: Comprises the Prime Minister (e.g., Édouard Philippe) and the President (e.g., Emmanuel Macron).
• The Cabinet:
  • Senior Ministers (also known as Ministers): An honorary rank.
  • Junior Ministers (also known as):
    • Ministers of State (senior)
    • Secretary of State (junior)
• Government of the French Republic: Composed of the Prime Minister and all Ministers.
• Council of Ministers: Includes the President, Prime Minister, and senior ministers.
• The President appoints ministers, typically under the advice of the Prime Minister, and holds veto power for their removal.
• An increasing number of agencies exist, such as the Ombudsperson, who serves as a public advocate for reporting instances of maladministration.

Regional Level

• Administrative Regions: Currently 18, each ruled by a Regional Council responsible for executing national decisions.
  • 13 of the 18 regions are Metropolitan (mainland European regions).
  • 5 of the 18 are overseas regions.
• Departments: Currently 100, situated between the regional and local levels.
  • Ruled by an administrative body called the General Council.
  • 96 of the 100 are metropolitan departments.
  • 4 of the 100 are overseas departments.
  • The main city in each department is known as the Prefecture.
  • This also constitutes peripheral administration.
• Districts (Arrondissements): Currently 334.
  • 12 of the 334 are overseas.
  • The main city in each district is the Sub-Prefecture.

Municipalities / Communes

• Approximately 36,600 municipalities.
• Main Administrative Body: The City Council.
• Private companies may sometimes participate with the administration to fulfill specific administrative tasks (e.g., street cleaning) through mechanisms like concessions or licenses.