And yet France’s real problem seems to lie beyond electoral or constitutional architecture, to a reluctance of both politicians and electorate to face up to the fact that French “exceptionalism”—the idea that France is grandly and fundamentally different from all other countries, including its European neighbours—is not only outdated, but a piece of costly baggage which is in the way of straightforward discussions of the issues the country faces..

The Economist, April 22nd.