Not only France, AFAIK it is basically the standard practice in European countries. It is perfectly normal outside the US to be stopped with no probably cause simply to verify who you are, and if deemed worthwhile, what you are doing.

I have been stopped in dozens of countries for procedural controls. I have never felt oppressed, but obviously it could be abused.

UK is only exception I can think of. Maybe Ireland and Denmark, but not certain.

Under Blair there was a plan to introduce, but it was widely opposed. Struck me as a little ironic with how easily UK has accepted surveillance and CCTV. Police need probable cause too, and generally behave well.

That is a fact. My wife was detained for hours at a traffic stop because she had left her Carte de Sejour at home (despite having a valid driver's license, proper insurance, etc.) The traffic stop wasn't because she did anything wrong either -- it was a random checkpoint that police do from time to time.

Not that it matters, but she's white and speaks perfect French.

In Korea, I routinely got stopped on the street to show my ID card. In Mexico, it happens to people all the time (random checkpoints, car searches, etc.) I once spent theee hours -- WITH proper documents while the state police practically disassembled my car for no reason other than having Texas plates and driving while white.

You need to prove lawful presence in France to open a bank account, but in Los Angeles, an illegal immigrant can open a bank account without any form of US identification or proof of lawful presence.

Calling Trump or the US authoritarian isn't accurate if you measure authoritarianism by the actions of allegedly 'liberal' countries.