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France has recently undergone a second wave of decentralization, following that of 1982-83. In the area of social services, this wave has entrenched earlier options by giving most responsibilities to the départements, with respect both to policy planning and to delivery. In particular, the département has become the major actor in policies to integrate marginalized groups. This raises questions in so far as the bulk of policies directed at vulnerable, unstable or dependent and maladjusted groups are delegated to the local level whereas regulation of economic activity and wealth creation are issues of national policy which, furthermore, are largely within the remit of European authorities.