The study of these institutions begins with a brief historical overview that justifies their complexity. It continues with the very definition of the citizen and their integration into the life of the state. Then, all levels of France's administrative and political structure are examined – the municipality, the department, the region, the state. The world of work, justice, and major administrations are given special emphasis. Exercises to verify the acquired knowledge refer to the text itself, while reflection questions allow for a deeper understanding of certain concepts through comparisons with foreign or European institutions. A short glossary provides explanations of certain expressions or words from political terminology.