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|[[Introduction to Political Science]]
|[[Introduction to Political Science]]
|[[La pensée sociale d'Émile Durkheim et Pierre Bourdieu]] ● [[Aux origines de la chute de la République de Weimar]] ● [[La pensée sociale de Max Weber et Vilfredo Pareto]] ● [[La notion de « concept » en sciences-sociales]] ● [[Histoire de la discipline de la science politique : théories et conceptions]] ● [[Marxisme et Structuralisme]] ● [[Fonctionnalisme et Systémisme]] ● [[Interactionnisme et Constructivisme]] ● [[Les théories de l’anthropologie politique]] ● [[Le débat des trois I : intérêts, institutions et idées]] ● [[La théorie du choix rationnel et l'analyse des intérêts en science politique]] ● [[Approche analytique des institutions en science politique]] ● [[L'étude des idées et idéologies dans la science politique]] ● [[Les théories de la guerre en science politique]] ● [[La Guerre : conceptions et évolutions]] ● [[La raison d’État]] ● [[État, souveraineté, mondialisation, gouvernance multiniveaux]] ● [[Les théories de la violence en science politique]] ● [[Welfare State et biopouvoir]] ● [[Analyse des régimes démocratiques et des processus de démocratisation]] ● [[Systèmes Électoraux : Mécanismes, Enjeux et Conséquences]] ● [[Le système de gouvernement des démocraties]] ● [[Morphologie des contestations]] ● [[L’action dans la théorie politique]] ● [[Introduction à la politique suisse]] ● [[Introduction au comportement politique]] ● [[Analyse des Politiques Publiques : définition et cycle d'une politique publique]] ● [[Analyse des Politiques Publiques : mise à l'agenda et formulation]] ● [[Analyse des Politiques Publiques : mise en œuvre et évaluation]] ● [[Introduction à la sous-discipline des relations internationales]]
|[[Intellectual legacy of Émile Durkheim and Pierre Bourdieu in social theory]] ● [[The origins of the fall of the Weimar Republic]] ● [[Intellectual legacy of Max Weber and Vilfredo Pareto in social theory]] ● [[The notion of "concept" in social sciences]] ● [[History of the discipline of political science: theories and concepts]] ● [[Marxism and Structuralism]] ● [[Functionalism and Systemism]] ● [[Interactionism and Constructivism]] ● [[The theories of political anthropology]] ● [[The three I's debate: interests, institutions and ideas]] ● [[Rational choice theory and the analysis of interests in political science]] ● [[An analytical approach to institutions in political science]] ● [[The study of ideas and ideologies in political science]] ● [[Theories of war in political science]] ● [[The War: Concepts and Evolutions]] ● [[The reason of State]] ● [[State, sovereignty, globalization and multi-level governance]] ● [[Theories of violence in political science‎‎]] ● [[Welfare State and Biopower]] ● [[Analysis of democratic regimes and democratisation processes]] ● [[Electoral Systems: Mechanisms, Issues and Consequences]] ● [[The system of government in democracies]] ● [[Morphology of contestations]] ● [[Action in Political Theory]] ● [[Introduction to Swiss politics]] ● [[Introduction to political behaviour]] ● [[Public Policy Analysis: Definition and cycle of public policy]] ● [[Public Policy Analysis: agenda setting and formulation]] ● [[Public Policy Analysis: Implementation and Evaluation]] ● [[Introduction to the sub-discipline of international relations]] ● [[Introduction to Political Theory]]  
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Protest itself can take many different forms, from street demonstrations and strikes to direct action and civil disobedience. Each form of protest has its own strengths and weaknesses, and can be adapted to a greater or lesser extent depending on the specific context and objectives.
Protest itself can take many different forms, from street demonstrations and strikes to direct action and civil disobedience. Each form of protest has its own strengths and weaknesses, and can be adapted to a greater or lesser extent depending on the specific context and objectives.


=De l'Affrontement à la Subversion : Evolution du Conflit Sociopolitique=
=From Confrontation to Subversion: The Evolution of Sociopolitical Conflict=


==Analyse du Conflit Traditionnel==
==Analysis of Traditional Conflict==


[[Image:Julien Freund 1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Julien Freund.]]
[[Image:Julien Freund 1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Julien Freund.]]


La science politique s'intéresse de près aux protestations et aux mouvements sociaux en tant que forces majeures de changement social et politique. Dans ce contexte, la notion de conflit est souvent une composante centrale de l'analyse. Le conflit, dans le cadre de la science politique, ne désigne pas nécessairement la violence ou la guerre, mais plutôt toute situation dans laquelle deux ou plusieurs parties ont des objectifs ou des intérêts contradictoires. Les conflits peuvent survenir à tous les niveaux de la société, des désaccords individuels aux conflits sociaux et politiques de grande envergure. La protestation est souvent une réponse à un conflit perçu, que ce soit un conflit d'intérêts économiques, de valeurs sociales ou de pouvoir politique. Les personnes ou groupes qui se sentent lésés ou marginalisés par le statu quo peuvent recourir à la protestation pour exprimer leur insatisfaction et revendiquer des changements. La science politique s'intéresse à la façon dont ces conflits surgissent, comment ils sont gérés ou résolus, et quelles sont les conséquences pour la société dans son ensemble. Cela peut impliquer l'étude des structures de pouvoir, des ressources disponibles pour différents groupes, des stratégies et tactiques utilisées dans les conflits, et des facteurs qui peuvent faciliter ou entraver la résolution des conflits.
Political science takes a close interest in protests and social movements as major forces for social and political change. In this context, the notion of conflict is often a central component of the analysis. Conflict, in the context of political science, does not necessarily mean violence or war, but rather any situation in which two or more parties have conflicting objectives or interests. Conflicts can occur at all levels of society, from individual disagreements to large-scale social and political conflicts. Protest is often a response to a perceived conflict, be it a conflict of economic interests, social values or political power. Individuals or groups who feel aggrieved or marginalised by the status quo may use protest to express their dissatisfaction and demand change. Political science is interested in how these conflicts arise, how they are managed or resolved, and what the consequences are for society as a whole. This can involve the study of power structures, the resources available to different groups, the strategies and tactics used in conflict, and the factors that can facilitate or hinder conflict resolution.
Le conflit peut être considéré comme allant au-delà de la protestation, et parfois même comme une phase qui suit la protestation. Dans le cadre de la protestation, les individus ou les groupes expriment leur désaccord ou leur insatisfaction, souvent de manière publique et visible. Lorsque ces protestations ne sont pas prises en compte ou résolues de manière satisfaisante, elles peuvent évoluer en conflits plus profonds et plus durables. Un conflit peut prendre de nombreuses formes, allant des disputes verbales aux actions directes, en passant par la désobéissance civile et parfois même la violence. Contrairement à une protestation, qui est souvent une réaction à une situation spécifique, un conflit peut impliquer une opposition plus systématique et plus profondément enracinée. Il peut également être plus complexe et difficile à résoudre, car il peut impliquer des désaccords fondamentaux sur les valeurs, les intérêts ou les structures de pouvoir. Bien que le conflit puisse être une source de tension et de désordre, il peut aussi être un moteur de changement et d'innovation. En mettant en lumière les problèmes et les injustices, le conflit peut stimuler le débat, la réflexion et l'action, conduisant éventuellement à de nouvelles solutions et à des changements positifs. Ainsi, la science politique, ainsi que d'autres disciplines des sciences sociales, s'intéressent de près à la dynamique du conflit, à la façon dont il évolue et à son impact sur la société. C'est un domaine complexe et multidimensionnel qui nécessite une compréhension approfondie des processus sociaux, politiques et psychologiques.
Julien Freund est un sociologue et philosophe politique français né en 1921 et décédé en 1995. Il est connu pour son travail sur la théorie du conflit, l'essence du politique et le réalisme politique. Freund est surtout connu pour son livre "L'Essence du politique" (1965), dans lequel il développe une analyse réaliste de la politique basée sur les idées de Carl Schmitt, un théoricien politique allemand. Dans ce livre, Freund soutient que le conflit est un élément inévitable et fondamental de la politique. Freund a également écrit sur d'autres sujets liés à la politique, à la sociologie et à la philosophie, notamment la guerre et la paix, l'éthique, le pouvoir, la liberté et l'autorité. Bien que ses idées aient été controversées en raison de leur association avec Schmitt, qui a été critiqué pour ses liens avec le régime nazi, Freund a néanmoins contribué de manière significative à la théorie politique et sociologique. Freund a résisté à l'occupation nazie pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, a été arrêté par la Gestapo et a survécu à plusieurs camps de concentration. Ces expériences ont sans doute eu un impact sur ses vues ultérieures sur la politique et le conflit.


Julien Freund a eu une contribution significative à la compréhension de la légitimité politique et de la violence. Son travail sur ces sujets est principalement basé sur une relecture et une réinterprétation de travaux antérieurs dans ces domaines, en particulier ceux de Max Weber et Carl Schmitt. Sur la question de la légitimité politique, Freund s'est fortement appuyé sur les travaux de Max Weber. Pour Weber, la légitimité est l'une des sources clés de l'autorité politique, et il a distingué trois types de légitimité : la légitimité traditionnelle (basée sur des coutumes et des traditions établies), la légitimité charismatique (basée sur la personnalité et le charisme d'un leader), et la légitimité rationnelle-légale (basée sur des règles et des lois établies). Freund a repris et développé ces idées, en se concentrant sur le rôle des conflits et de la violence dans l'établissement et le maintien de la légitimité politique. Pour Freund, la légitimité n'est pas simplement une question de consentement ou d'acceptation, mais implique aussi une dimension coercitive : pour être légitime, une autorité doit être capable de maintenir l'ordre et de résoudre les conflits, y compris par l'usage de la force si nécessaire. En ce qui concerne la violence, Freund a été fortement influencé par Carl Schmitt et sa théorie du politique. Schmitt soutient que l'essence du politique réside dans la distinction entre "ami" et "ennemi", et que la possibilité de conflit - y compris la violence - est une caractéristique fondamentale de la politique. Freund a repris ces idées, en soulignant que la violence n'est pas simplement une aberration ou un échec de la politique, mais peut en fait jouer un rôle central dans l'établissement et la préservation de l'ordre politique. Ces idées ont été controversées, mais elles ont néanmoins apporté une contribution importante à la théorie politique, en mettant l'accent sur les aspects du pouvoir, du conflit et de la violence qui sont souvent négligés dans les approches plus idéalisées de la politique.
Conflict can be seen as going beyond protest, and sometimes even as a post-protest phase. In protest, individuals or groups express their disagreement or dissatisfaction, often in a public and visible way. When these protests are not taken into account or resolved satisfactorily, they can develop into deeper and longer-lasting conflicts. Conflict can take many forms, from verbal disputes to direct action, civil disobedience and sometimes even violence. Unlike a protest, which is often a reaction to a specific situation, a conflict can involve more systematic and deep-rooted opposition. It can also be more complex and difficult to resolve, as it may involve fundamental disagreements over values, interests or power structures. While conflict can be a source of tension and disorder, it can also be a driver of change and innovation. By highlighting problems and injustices, conflict can stimulate debate, reflection and action, eventually leading to new solutions and positive change. So political science, along with other social science disciplines, takes a close interest in the dynamics of conflict, how it evolves and its impact on society. It is a complex and multidimensional field that requires an in-depth understanding of social, political and psychological processes.


Freund propose une réflexion approfondie sur le conflit, insistant sur le fait qu'il ne s'agit pas d'un accident ou d'une anomalie, mais qu'il est intrinsèquement lié à la nature de la société et de la politique.  
Julien Freund was a French sociologist and political philosopher who was born in 1921 and died in 1995. He is known for his work on conflict theory, the essence of politics and political realism. Freund is best known for his book The Essence of Politics (1965), in which he develops a realist analysis of politics based on the ideas of Carl Schmitt, a German political theorist. In this book, Freund argues that conflict is an inevitable and fundamental element of politics. Freund has also written on other subjects related to politics, sociology and philosophy, including war and peace, ethics, power, freedom and authority. Although his ideas were controversial because of their association with Schmitt, who was criticised for his links with the Nazi regime, Freund nevertheless made a significant contribution to political and sociological theory. Freund resisted Nazi occupation during the Second World War, was arrested by the Gestapo and survived several concentration camps. These experiences undoubtedly had an impact on his later views on politics and conflict.


Freund considère le conflit comme une divergence profonde d'intérêts qui peut surgir lorsqu'il y a tension entre ceux qui acceptent l'état actuel de l'espace public et ceux qui désirent un changement. Le conflit émerge alors des contradictions inhérentes à la société, façonnant des positionnements et des attitudes diverses. Selon Freund, le conflit n'est pas simplement une aberration ou un incident fortuit, mais plutôt une réalité inhérente à l'existence humaine et sociale. Pour le démontrer, il cite l'exemple du marxisme, qui ne peut être considéré comme un accident de l'histoire. Au contraire, le marxisme est fondamentalement ancré dans la pensée du conflit. Karl Marx lui-même a conceptualisé la société en termes de conflit de classes, arguant que les luttes de pouvoir entre les classes sociales - spécifiquement entre la bourgeoisie, qui possède les moyens de production, et le prolétariat, qui vend sa force de travail - sont le moteur central du progrès historique et du changement social. Dans cette optique, le conflit n'est pas un accident, mais un mécanisme nécessaire et inévitable de la dynamique sociale. Cette perspective rejoint celle de Freund, qui voit le conflit comme un phénomène structurel et non comme une anomalie. Pour lui, comprendre le conflit est essentiel pour comprendre la nature de la politique et de la société.
Julien Freund has made a significant contribution to the understanding of political legitimacy and violence. His work on these subjects is mainly based on a rereading and reinterpretation of earlier work in these fields, in particular that of Max Weber and Carl Schmitt. On the question of political legitimacy, Freund relied heavily on the work of Max Weber. For Weber, legitimacy was one of the key sources of political authority, and he distinguished three types of legitimacy: traditional legitimacy (based on established customs and traditions), charismatic legitimacy (based on the personality and charisma of a leader), and rational-legal legitimacy (based on established rules and laws). Freund took up and developed these ideas, focusing on the role of conflict and violence in establishing and maintaining political legitimacy. For Freund, legitimacy is not simply a question of consent or acceptance, but also implies a coercive dimension: to be legitimate, an authority must be capable of maintaining order and resolving conflicts, including through the use of force if necessary. As far as violence is concerned, Freund was strongly influenced by Carl Schmitt and his theory of politics. Schmitt argued that the essence of politics lies in the distinction between 'friend' and 'enemy', and that the possibility of conflict - including violence - is a fundamental characteristic of politics. Freund took up these ideas, emphasising that violence is not simply an aberration or failure of politics, but can in fact play a central role in establishing and preserving political order. These ideas have been controversial, but they have nevertheless made an important contribution to political theory, focusing on aspects of power, conflict and violence that are often neglected in more idealised approaches to politics.


Freund soutient que '''le conflit est le résultat d'une divergence profonde d'intérêts'''. Il identifie une tension inhérente au conflit, qui existe entre ceux qui sont satisfaits de l'état actuel de l'espace public et ceux qui souhaitent un changement. Ce conflit est alimenté par les contradictions sociétales, donnant lieu à diverses positions et orientations. Il reconnaît l'existence de plusieurs types de conflits, dont le conflit social et le conflit de classe. Dans le contexte social, le conflit façonne la structure des négociations. Le syndicalisme, un élément inhérent à toute démocratie, est un exemple représentatif de cela. Les syndicats représentent des intérêts spécifiques et négocient ces intérêts avec les gouvernements sur la base de conflits sociaux. Pour les marxistes, ces conflits sont l'expression d'un mode de production intrinsèquement contradictoire. Il s'agit d'un rapport de force qui émane des changements sociétaux auxquels certains s'opposent. Le conflit de classe est un autre type de conflit important. Selon la théorie marxiste, la société est divisée en différentes classes, dont les intérêts sont fondamentalement en conflit. Par exemple, la bourgeoisie, qui possède les moyens de production, est en conflit avec le prolétariat, qui vend sa force de travail. Ce conflit de classe est perçu comme le moteur de l'histoire et du changement social.
Freund offers an in-depth reflection on conflict, insisting that it is not an accident or anomaly, but intrinsically linked to the nature of society and politics.


Freund avance que '''toute société est, par nature, conflictuelle'''. Le conflit est inhérent à l'existence sociale, il n'est pas nécessairement négatif, mais peut être un vecteur de progression. L'histoire démontre que toutes les sociétés ont expérimenté diverses formes de conflits. Lorsqu'une société subit des changements rapides et majeurs, elle peut lutter pour maintenir le rythme, ce qui augmente la potentialité de conflit. Il y a un décalage entre la rapidité de l'évolution des temps et la capacité de l'être humain à s'adapter. Lorsque les transformations sociales et politiques sont particulièrement drastiques, cela peut entraîner une résistance et une opposition au changement. En somme, le conflit peut être considéré comme un concept de discordance, reflétant les tensions inhérentes à toute société en mouvement. Les conflits ne sont donc pas simplement des perturbations indésirables, mais peuvent être vus comme des indices des tensions profondes et des luttes de pouvoir qui structurent la société, et qui peuvent conduire à son évolution.
Freund sees conflict as a profound divergence of interests that can arise when there is tension between those who accept the current state of public space and those who desire change. Conflict then emerges from the contradictions inherent in society, shaping different positions and attitudes. According to Freund, conflict is not simply an aberration or a chance incident, but rather a reality inherent in human and social existence. To demonstrate this, he cites the example of Marxism, which cannot be considered an accident of history. On the contrary, Marxism is fundamentally rooted in conflict thinking. Karl Marx himself conceptualised society in terms of class conflict, arguing that power struggles between social classes - specifically between the bourgeoisie, which owns the means of production, and the proletariat, which sells its labour power - are the central engine of historical progress and social change. From this perspective, conflict is not an accident, but a necessary and inevitable mechanism of social dynamics. This perspective is similar to that of Freund, who sees conflict as a structural phenomenon rather than an anomaly. For him, understanding conflict is essential to understanding the nature of politics and society.


Finalement, pour Freund le '''conflit est intrinsèquement lié à la conception de l'espace public'''. Il est non seulement une caractéristique inévitable de l'espace public, mais il joue également un rôle déterminant dans la façon dont cet espace est compris et structuré. Au sens philosophique et politique du terme, l'espace public est le lieu où les individus se réunissent pour débattre, échanger des idées et résoudre leurs différences. Par conséquent, le conflit est inévitable dans l'espace public, car les individus et les groupes ont souvent des points de vue divergents, des intérêts conflictuels et des idéologies différentes. Ainsi, en s'engageant dans l'espace public, les individus entrent potentiellement en conflit. Cela ne signifie pas que chaque interaction dans l'espace public est conflictuelle, mais plutôt que la conflictualité est une possibilité inhérente à la participation à l'espace public. Dans ce sens, le conflit peut être vu comme une caractéristique fondamentale et nécessaire de la démocratie, qui valorise le débat ouvert et la diversité des opinions.
Freund argues that conflict is the result of a profound divergence of interests. He identifies a tension inherent in conflict, which exists between those who are satisfied with the current state of public space and those who want change. This conflict is fuelled by societal contradictions, giving rise to a variety of positions and orientations. He recognises the existence of several types of conflict, including social conflict and class conflict. In the social context, conflict shapes the structure of negotiations. Trade unionism, an inherent element of any democracy, is a representative example of this. Trade unions represent specific interests and negotiate these interests with governments on the basis of social conflict. For Marxists, these conflicts are the expression of an intrinsically contradictory mode of production. It is a balance of power that emanates from the societal changes to which some people are opposed. Class conflict is another important type of conflict. According to Marxist theory, society is divided into different classes, whose interests are fundamentally in conflict. For example, the bourgeoisie, which owns the means of production, is in conflict with the proletariat, which sells its labour power. This class conflict is seen as the driving force of history and social change.


Selon Freund et d'autres théoriciens sociaux, le conflit est une composante inévitable des relations sociales. Cela ne signifie pas que chaque interaction sociale est conflictuelle, mais plutôt que le potentiel pour le conflit existe dans toute relation sociale. Les différences d'intérêts, de valeurs, de perspectives, et même de compréhension des situations peuvent conduire à des conflits. Les relations sociales sont dynamiques et évolutives, et le conflit peut être une force motrice pour le changement et l'adaptation. Par exemple, le conflit peut stimuler l'innovation, favoriser l'évolution des normes sociales, ou inciter les individus à réévaluer leurs croyances et leurs comportements. De cette façon, bien que le conflit puisse être source de tension et de désaccord, il peut également contribuer à la vitalité et au progrès de la société.
Freund argues that all societies are inherently conflictual. Conflict is inherent in social existence; it is not necessarily negative, but can be a vector for progress. History shows that all societies have experienced various forms of conflict. When a society undergoes rapid and major change, it may struggle to keep pace, which increases the potential for conflict. There is a gap between the speed of change and the capacity of human beings to adapt. When social and political transformations are particularly drastic, this can lead to resistance and opposition to change. In short, conflict can be seen as a concept of discordance, reflecting the tensions inherent in any society on the move. Conflicts are therefore not simply unwanted disturbances, but can be seen as indicators of the deep-seated tensions and power struggles that structure society, and which can lead to its evolution.
Les sociétés modernes présentent des formes spécifiques de conflictualité dues à des causes multiples. Ces formes de conflictualité peuvent être le reflet de l'évolution de nos sociétés en termes de valeurs, de structures économiques, de technologies et de relations de pouvoir. Voici quelques exemples de causes potentielles :


* L'inégalité économique et sociale : Les disparités de revenus et de richesses peuvent engendrer des tensions et des conflits. Les personnes qui se sentent injustement traitées ou dépossédées peuvent protester contre le statu quo, conduisant à des conflits sociaux.
Finally, for Freund, conflict is intrinsically linked to the conception of public space. Not only is it an inevitable feature of public space, but it also plays a decisive role in the way in which that space is understood and structured. In the philosophical and political sense, public space is the place where people come together to debate, exchange ideas and resolve their differences. Consequently, conflict is inevitable in the public space, as individuals and groups often have divergent points of view, conflicting interests and different ideologies. Thus, by engaging in public space, individuals potentially enter into conflict. This does not mean that every interaction in the public space is conflictual, but rather that conflictuality is an inherent possibility of participation in the public space. In this sense, conflict can be seen as a fundamental and necessary feature of democracy, which values open debate and diversity of opinion.
* La diversité culturelle et les différences idéologiques : Les sociétés modernes sont souvent caractérisées par une grande diversité de cultures, de religions et de valeurs. Cela peut entraîner des conflits lorsque différents groupes ont des visions du monde incompatibles ou lorsque les droits et les libertés de certains groupes sont perçus comme étant menacés.
* La mondialisation et la compétition pour les ressources : La mondialisation a augmenté la concurrence pour les ressources limitées, ce qui peut entraîner des conflits entre nations, régions, ou groupes au sein d'une même société.
* Les changements technologiques : L'évolution rapide des technologies a transformé de nombreux aspects de la vie quotidienne et de l'économie, ce qui peut créer des tensions entre ceux qui s'adaptent aux nouvelles technologies et ceux qui se sentent laissés pour compte.
* Les problèmes environnementaux : Les défis environnementaux, comme le changement climatique, peuvent générer des conflits autour de la répartition des ressources, des responsabilités pour atténuer les effets du changement climatique, et des stratégies pour adapter nos sociétés à ces changements.


La nature et l'ampleur du conflit dans une société peuvent être grandement influencées par la vitesse à laquelle la société change. Dans nos sociétés modernes, caractérisées par un rythme rapide de changement technologique, économique, social et culturel, le conflit peut devenir plus fréquent ou plus intense. Ces changements rapides peuvent provoquer des sentiments d'insécurité, d'anxiété et de désorientation, car les gens ont du mal à s'adapter ou à comprendre les implications des changements qui se produisent autour d'eux. De plus, les bénéfices de ces changements rapides ne sont pas toujours également répartis dans la société, ce qui peut créer des tensions entre ceux qui profitent des changements et ceux qui se sentent laissés pour compte ou menacés par eux. En effet, on observe souvent des conflits entre les défenseurs de la modernité, qui voient les changements rapides comme une source d'opportunités et de progrès, et ceux qui valorisent plus la tradition, la stabilité et la continuité, et qui peuvent percevoir les changements rapides comme une menace pour leur mode de vie ou leurs valeurs.
According to Freund and other social theorists, conflict is an inevitable component of social relations. This does not mean that every social interaction is conflictual, but rather that the potential for conflict exists in every social relationship. Differences in interests, values, perspectives and even understanding of situations can lead to conflict. Social relationships are dynamic and evolving, and conflict can be a driving force for change and adaptation. For example, conflict can stimulate innovation, encourage the evolution of social norms, or prompt individuals to re-evaluate their beliefs and behaviours. In this way, although conflict can be a source of tension and disagreement, it can also contribute to the vitality and progress of society.
La discordance de temporalité, ou le décalage entre différentes vitesses de changement dans une société, peut être une source importante de tensions et de conflits. Les individus et les groupes sociaux ont des rythmes de vie différents, des attentes différentes quant à la rapidité et à la direction du changement, et des capacités différentes à s'adapter aux changements. Ces différences peuvent conduire à des malentendus, des frustrations et des conflits. Ces conflits se jouent généralement dans l'espace public, où différents acteurs sociaux expriment leurs opinions, défendent leurs intérêts et négocient leurs différences. L'espace public est donc non seulement un lieu de conflit, mais aussi un lieu où les règles de gestion des conflits sont définies et mises en œuvre.
Le conflit est un aspect inévitable et, dans une certaine mesure, nécessaire de toute société. Il découle des différences d'intérêts, de valeurs, de croyances et de perspectives entre les individus et les groupes sociaux. Les conflits peuvent avoir un rôle constructif dans une société. Ils peuvent stimuler le débat, l'innovation et le changement, en mettant en évidence les problèmes et les injustices et en incitant les gens à chercher des solutions. Les conflits peuvent aussi aider à clarifier les positions et les préférences, à renforcer l'identité de groupe, et à maintenir les élites au pouvoir responsables de leurs actions. Les conflits peuvent cependant aussi avoir des effets destructeurs s'ils ne sont pas correctement gérés. Ils peuvent conduire à la violence, à la polarisation sociale et à la paralysie politique, et peuvent éroder les liens sociaux et la confiance mutuelle. C'est pourquoi il est crucial d'avoir des mécanismes efficaces de résolution des conflits et de promotion du dialogue et de la coopération. Il est donc important de reconnaître et de gérer les conflits plutôt que d'essayer de les supprimer ou de les ignorer. La suppression des conflits peut simplement conduire à leur éruption de manière plus violente et destructrice à l'avenir. En revanche, une gestion efficace des conflits peut permettre à une société de tirer parti des aspects constructifs des conflits tout en minimisant leurs aspects destructeurs.
Julien Freund distingue deux formes de conflits : la lutte et le combat. Chacune a ses propres caractéristiques et son propre contexte :


* La '''lutte''' se réfère généralement à un type de conflit qui est structuré et prévisible. Par exemple, la lutte des classes est un type de conflit qui se produit dans le cadre d'une structure sociale établie, et qui est souvent prévisible dans ses formes et ses résultats. Dans ce contexte, la lutte est souvent organisée et régulée de manière à maintenir un certain ordre, comme on le voit dans le rôle des services d'ordre lors des manifestations. La lutte est également souvent un moyen pour les groupes marginalisés ou désavantagés de revendiquer leurs droits et d'exprimer leur protestation contre les structures sociales injustes.
Modern societies exhibit specific forms of conflictuality due to multiple causes. These forms of conflictuality may reflect the evolution of our societies in terms of values, economic structures, technologies and power relations. Here are some examples of potential causes:
* Le '''combat''', en revanche, se réfère à un type de conflit qui peut être plus violent et moins structuré. Cependant, même les combats sont souvent régulés d'une certaine manière, comme on le voit dans les règles de conduite pour la guerre. Le but du combat est généralement de contrôler et de limiter la violence, plutôt que de la laisser s'exprimer de manière incontrôlée. Cela reflète l'idée de Max Weber selon laquelle l'État moderne est fondé sur le contrôle et l'usage légitime de la violence.


Cette distinction entre la lutte et le combat offre un cadre utile pour comprendre les différentes formes de conflits sociaux et politiques. Cela permet de comprendre que, bien que tous les conflits puissent comporter une certaine forme de violence, cette violence peut prendre différentes formes et être régulée de différentes manières.
* Economic and social inequality: Disparities in income and wealth can lead to tension and conflict. People who feel unfairly treated or dispossessed may protest against the status quo, leading to social conflict.
* Cultural diversity and ideological differences: Modern societies are often characterised by a wide diversity of cultures, religions and values. This can lead to conflict when different groups have incompatible worldviews, or when the rights and freedoms of certain groups are perceived to be under threat.
* Globalisation and competition for resources: Globalisation has increased competition for limited resources, which can lead to conflict between nations, regions or groups within the same society.
* Technological change: Rapidly evolving technologies have transformed many aspects of daily life and the economy, which can create tensions between those who adapt to new technologies and those who feel left behind.
* Environmental issues: Environmental challenges, such as climate change, can generate conflicts over the distribution of resources, responsibilities for mitigating the effects of climate change, and strategies for adapting our societies to these changes.


Julien Freund distingue deux états concernant l'usage de la violence, l'état polémique et l'état agonal :
The nature and extent of conflict in a society can be greatly influenced by the speed at which the society changes. In our modern societies, characterised by a rapid pace of technological, economic, social and cultural change, conflict can become more frequent or more intense. These rapid changes can provoke feelings of insecurity, anxiety and disorientation, as people find it difficult to adapt or to understand the implications of the changes taking place around them. What's more, the benefits of these rapid changes are not always evenly distributed across society, which can create tensions between those who benefit from the changes and those who feel left behind or threatened by them. Indeed, there are often conflicts between the defenders of modernity, who see rapid change as a source of opportunity and progress, and those who value tradition, stability and continuity more, and who may perceive rapid change as a threat to their way of life or values.


* L''''état polémique''' est un état de guerre ou de conflit ouvert. Le terme "polemos" vient du grec et fait référence à l'art de la guerre. Dans cet état, il existe une violence manifeste et souvent non régulée entre les entités, comme les États. La gestion de ce type de violence nécessite généralement des efforts pour canaliser et contrôler le conflit afin de prévenir une escalade incontrôlée.
The mismatch in temporality, or the gap between different speeds of change in a society, can be a major source of tension and conflict. Individuals and social groups have different rhythms of life, different expectations of the speed and direction of change, and different capacities to adapt to change. These differences can lead to misunderstandings, frustrations and conflicts. These conflicts are generally played out in the public arena, where different social actors express their opinions, defend their interests and negotiate their differences. The public arena is therefore not only a place of conflict, but also a place where the rules for managing conflict are defined and implemented.
* L''''état agonal''', en revanche, est un état où la violence est transformée et rendue fonctionnelle afin de prévenir l'autodestruction. Dans cet état, la société trouve des moyens de substituer la sécurité à la violence. La conflictualité est alors réorientée vers la compétition, transformant ainsi la violence en un mode de fonctionnement sociétal. Dans ce processus, l'idée d'un "ennemi" est remplacée par celle d'un "adversaire". La violence pure est abolie, et à sa place, une adversité régulée et institutionnalisée est introduite.


En somme, dans un état agonal, la violence est captée par la société et institutionnalisée, transformant ainsi le conflit en compétition. Cela permet à la société de se légitimer elle-même, tout en évitant l'escalade de la violence. C'est un renoncement à la violence en faveur d'une structure institutionnalisée d'adversité. Dans ce contexte, celui qui est le plus faible est souvent celui qui n'est pas en mesure de s'adapter à cette structure d'adversité sociale au sein de l'État moderne.
Conflict is an inevitable and, to some extent, necessary aspect of any society. It arises from differences in interests, values, beliefs and perspectives between individuals and social groups. Conflicts can play a constructive role in a society. They can stimulate debate, innovation and change, by highlighting problems and injustices and encouraging people to seek solutions. Conflicts can also help to clarify positions and preferences, reinforce group identity, and hold ruling elites accountable for their actions. However, conflicts can also have destructive effects if they are not properly managed. They can lead to violence, social polarisation and political paralysis, and can erode social bonds and mutual trust. This is why it is crucial to have effective mechanisms for resolving conflicts and promoting dialogue and cooperation. It is therefore important to recognise and manage conflict rather than trying to suppress or ignore it. Suppressing conflict may simply lead to it erupting in more violent and destructive ways in the future. Effective conflict management, on the other hand, can enable a society to take advantage of the constructive aspects of conflict while minimising its destructive aspects.


L'État agonal, bien qu'il présente de nombreux avantages en canalisant et en institutionnalisant la conflictualité, pose aussi des défis significatifs. L'un des plus importants est le risque que la compétition, qui est sensée être une forme saine de rivalité, puisse dégénérer en violence véritable. Maintenir l'équilibre dans un état agonal nécessite une gestion délicate. Les institutions sociales et politiques doivent être suffisamment fortes et souples pour contenir et réguler la conflictualité, tout en permettant une compétition saine. Cela implique généralement un équilibre entre l'autorité et la liberté, entre la stabilité et le changement, et entre l'individualité et la communauté. Si la compétition devient trop intense, ou si elle est perçue comme injuste ou truquée, elle peut facilement dégénérer en violence. De même, si des individus ou des groupes se sentent opprimés, ignorés ou marginalisés, ils peuvent recourir à la violence comme moyen d'exprimer leur frustration et de faire pression pour le changement.
Julien Freund distinguishes between two forms of conflict: struggle and combat. Each has its own characteristics and its own context:
Le sport est un domaine particulièrement illustratif de ce qu'est l'état agonal défini par Julien Freund. Il sert à canaliser la conflictualité naturelle des individus, et l'encadre dans une structure de compétition avec des règles clairement établies. Cette structure permet à l'agressivité et à la compétitivité de s'exprimer de manière contrôlée et productive, plutôt que destructrice. Cependant, le sport peut également être un espace où la violence peut ressurgir à tout moment. Les compétitions sportives peuvent parfois dégénérer en conflits violents, soit sur le terrain entre les joueurs, soit entre les supporters dans les tribunes. C'est particulièrement le cas dans les sports de contact, où la violence fait partie intégrante du jeu, mais c'est aussi vrai dans presque tous les autres sports. Il est donc important de maintenir un équilibre délicat dans le sport. D'une part, il faut permettre l'expression de la compétitivité et de l'agressivité dans un cadre contrôlé. D'autre part, il faut veiller à prévenir et à gérer les débordements de violence, afin de maintenir l'intégrité du sport et la sécurité des participants et des spectateurs. Le sport est donc un exemple frappant de la tension entre l'état agonal, qui cherche à canaliser la conflictualité en compétition, et la potentialité de la violence, qui menace constamment de déborder de ce cadre.


La contradiction est de devoir gérer les manifestations sportives sans violence et d’être soumit à la violence qui ressort à travers le sport. Cette contradiction est au cœur de nombreux débats dans le monde du sport. D'une part, il y a une volonté de minimiser la violence dans le sport afin de préserver son intégrité et la sécurité des participants et des spectateurs. D'autre part, il y a une reconnaissance que le sport, en tant que domaine d'expression de la conflictualité humaine, est intrinsèquement susceptible d'engendrer des comportements violents.
* Struggle generally refers to a type of conflict that is structured and predictable. For example, class struggle is a type of conflict that occurs within an established social structure, and is often predictable in its forms and outcomes. In this context, the struggle is often organised and regulated in such a way as to maintain a certain order, as can be seen in the role of the security services at demonstrations. Struggle is also often a way for marginalised or disadvantaged groups to claim their rights and express their protest against unjust social structures.
* Fighting, on the other hand, refers to a type of conflict that can be more violent and less structured. However, even combat is often regulated in some way, as can be seen in the rules of conduct for warfare. The aim of combat is generally to control and limit violence, rather than letting it run unchecked. This reflects Max Weber's idea that the modern state is founded on the control and legitimate use of violence.


==L'Émeute : Expression Violente de Dissension==
This distinction between struggle and combat provides a useful framework for understanding the different forms of social and political conflict. It allows us to understand that, although all conflicts may involve some form of violence, this violence can take different forms and be regulated in different ways.
 
Julien Freund distinguishes two states in the use of violence, the polemical state and the agonal state:
* The polemical state is a state of war or open conflict. The word "polemos" comes from the Greek and refers to the art of war. In this state, there is overt and often unregulated violence between entities, such as states. Managing this type of violence generally requires efforts to channel and control the conflict in order to prevent an uncontrolled escalation.
* The agonal state, on the other hand, is a state in which violence is transformed and made functional in order to prevent self-destruction. In this state, society finds ways to substitute security for violence. Conflictuality is then redirected towards competition, transforming violence into a mode of societal functioning. In this process, the idea of an "enemy" is replaced by that of an "adversary". Pure violence is abolished, and in its place a regulated and institutionalised adversity is introduced.
 
In short, in an agonal state, violence is captured by society and institutionalised, transforming conflict into competition. This allows society to legitimise itself, while avoiding the escalation of violence. It is a renunciation of violence in favour of an institutionalised structure of adversity. In this context, the weakest party is often the one unable to adapt to this structure of social adversity within the modern state.
 
While the agonal state has many advantages in channelling and institutionalising conflict, it also poses significant challenges. One of the most important is the risk that competition, which is supposed to be a healthy form of rivalry, can degenerate into full-blown violence. Maintaining balance in an agonal state requires delicate management. Social and political institutions need to be strong and flexible enough to contain and regulate conflict, while allowing healthy competition. This generally involves a balance between authority and freedom, between stability and change, and between individuality and community. If competition becomes too intense, or is perceived as unfair or rigged, it can easily degenerate into violence. Similarly, if individuals or groups feel oppressed, ignored or marginalised, they may resort to violence as a means of expressing their frustration and pressing for change.
 
Sport is a particularly good example of the agonal state defined by Julien Freund. It serves to channel the natural conflictuality of individuals, framing it in a competitive structure with clearly established rules. This structure allows aggression and competitiveness to express themselves in a controlled and productive, rather than destructive, way. However, sport can also be a place where violence can resurface at any time. Sports competitions can sometimes degenerate into violent conflicts, either on the pitch between players or between supporters in the stands. This is particularly the case in contact sports, where violence is an integral part of the game, but it is also true in almost all other sports. It is therefore important to maintain a delicate balance in sport. On the one hand, competitiveness and aggression must be allowed to express themselves within a controlled framework. On the other hand, care must be taken to prevent and manage violent outbursts, in order to maintain the integrity of sport and the safety of participants and spectators. Sport is therefore a striking example of the tension between the agonal state, which seeks to channel conflict in competition, and the potential for violence, which constantly threatens to spill out of this framework.
 
The contradiction is between having to manage sporting events without violence and being subject to the violence that emerges through sport. This contradiction is at the heart of many debates in the world of sport. On the one hand, there is a desire to minimise violence in sport in order to preserve its integrity and the safety of participants and spectators. On the other hand, there is a recognition that sport, as an expression of human conflict, is intrinsically susceptible to violent behaviour.
 
==The Riot: A Violent Expression of Dissension==
[[File:Battle strike 1934.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Émeute des conducteurs routiers à Minneapolis, en 1934.]]
[[File:Battle strike 1934.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Émeute des conducteurs routiers à Minneapolis, en 1934.]]


L'émeute représente une forme de dégénérescence du conflit, lorsque celui-ci échappe à tout contrôle institutionnel et se transforme en violence collective non structurée. Alors que le conflit, même intense, peut généralement être contenu et géré à travers des mécanismes institutionnels (comme la négociation, la médiation, ou l'application du droit), l'émeute marque un point de rupture où ces mécanismes ne sont plus efficaces ou pertinents. La notion d'émeute englobe une diversité de situations, allant de la révolte spontanée contre une injustice ressentie à la violence de foule sans but précis. Ce qui caractérise l'émeute, c'est son caractère désorganisé et sa nature explosive, qui la distingue des formes de violence collective plus structurées comme l'insurrection ou la guerre. Si l'émeute est une forme de dégénérescence du conflit, elle est aussi parfois un symptôme de problèmes sociaux plus profonds qui n'ont pas été résolus par les voies institutionnelles habituelles. Ainsi, si l'émeute est un problème en soi, elle est aussi souvent le signe d'autres problèmes qui méritent une attention sérieuse.  
Riot represents a form of degeneration of conflict, when it escapes all institutional control and is transformed into unstructured collective violence. While conflict, even intense conflict, can generally be contained and managed through institutional mechanisms (such as negotiation, mediation or the application of the law), rioting marks a breaking point where these mechanisms are no longer effective or relevant. The notion of riot encompasses a variety of situations, ranging from spontaneous revolt against a perceived injustice to mob violence with no specific aim. Riot is characterised by its disorganised and explosive nature, which distinguishes it from more structured forms of collective violence such as insurrection or war. While riots are a form of degenerative conflict, they are also sometimes a symptom of deeper social problems that have not been resolved through the usual institutional channels. So while rioting is a problem in itself, it is also often a sign of other problems that deserve serious attention.  


L'émeute est souvent perçue, notamment par les philosophes, comme une manifestation de l'émotion collective non contrôlée, où le rationnel et le structuré font place à l'irrationnel et au chaotique. Elle symbolise une forme d'expression violente et désordonnée d'une colère ou d'une frustration collective qui n'a pas trouvé d'autres voies d'expression ou de résolution. Dans cette perspective, l'émeute est vue comme une dégénérescence du conflit, car elle échappe aux normes et aux structures habituellement associées à la gestion des conflits. Elle est dominée par l'émotion, qui peut submerger les individus et les pousser à des actions qu'ils n'auraient pas entreprises dans un état d'esprit plus calme ou plus rationnel.  
Riot is often seen, particularly by philosophers, as a manifestation of uncontrolled collective emotion, where the rational and structured give way to the irrational and chaotic. It symbolises a violent and disorderly expression of collective anger or frustration that has found no other way of expression or resolution. From this perspective, rioting is seen as a degeneration of conflict, because it escapes the norms and structures usually associated with conflict management. It is dominated by emotion, which can overwhelm individuals and drive them to actions they would not have undertaken in a calmer or more rational state of mind.


L'émeute est souvent perçue comme dangereuse car elle est généralement animée par des émotions fortes plutôt que par une pensée rationnelle. Son caractère impulsif et immédiat amplifie sa nature imprévisible, contribuant ainsi à son image d'instabilité. Les rumeurs jouent souvent un rôle important dans la genèse des émeutes, propageant des informations non vérifiées qui attisent les émotions et contribuent à la montée de la tension. Ce mode de communication informel et non régulé peut alimenter la peur, la colère ou l'indignation, éventuellement conduisant à des débordements de violence. Ainsi, les émeutes mettent en évidence le pouvoir de l'émotion dans l'espace public et soulignent le rôle crucial de la gestion adéquate de l'information et des conflits pour maintenir la stabilité sociale.  
Riot is often perceived as dangerous because it is generally driven by strong emotions rather than rational thought. Its impulsive and immediate nature amplifies its unpredictable nature, contributing to its image of instability. Rumours often play an important role in the genesis of riots, spreading unverified information that inflames emotions and contributes to the build-up of tension. This informal and unregulated mode of communication can fuel fear, anger or indignation, eventually leading to violent outbursts. In this way, riots highlight the power of emotion in the public arena and underline the crucial role of proper information and conflict management in maintaining social stability.


Les émeutes se déclenchent souvent de manière soudaine et intense, franchissant les limites établies par les normes sociales, les lois et la morale. Elles se développent sans réflexion préalable ni planification stratégique, et peuvent parfois manifester une absence de pitié ou de discernement. Le principal défi posé par les émeutes réside dans leur difficulté à être contrôlées. Ces éruptions de violence collective représentent une transgression marquée des valeurs sociétales, où les règles habituellement acceptées sont momentanément mises de côté. C'est un phénomène complexe qui souligne la fragilité de l'ordre social et la force des émotions collectives.
Riots are often sudden and intense, crossing the boundaries of social norms, laws and morality. They develop without prior thought or strategic planning, and can sometimes manifest an absence of mercy or discernment. The main challenge posed by riots is that they are difficult to control. These outbursts of collective violence represent a marked transgression of societal values, where normally accepted rules are momentarily set aside. It's a complex phenomenon that highlights the fragility of the social order and the power of collective emotions.


L'émeute peut parfois prendre une forme de violence gratuite ou de rébellion contre l'ordre établi, parfois avec une dimension quasi récréative, comme si le chaos engendré procurait un certain plaisir ou une libération des contraintes de la vie quotidienne. Néanmoins, il est important de noter que les émeutes sont généralement le reflet de problèmes sociaux plus profonds. Elles sont souvent liées à des conditions matérielles difficiles, comme la pauvreté et le chômage, ainsi qu'à des sentiments de marginalisation et d'insécurité. Ces facteurs peuvent conduire des groupes de personnes à se sentir exclues, ignorées ou maltraitées par la société, ce qui peut, à son tour, conduire à des explosions de violence collective sous forme d'émeutes.  
Riot can sometimes take the form of gratuitous violence or rebellion against the established order, sometimes with a quasi-recreational dimension, as if the chaos engendered provided a certain pleasure or liberation from the constraints of daily life. However, it is important to note that riots generally reflect deeper social problems. They are often linked to difficult material conditions, such as poverty and unemployment, as well as feelings of marginalisation and insecurity. These factors can lead groups of people to feel excluded, ignored or mistreated by society, which in turn can lead to outbursts of collective violence in the form of riots.  


La philosophie classique a fortement mis l'accent sur l'importance de la rationalité en politique. Aristote, par exemple, dans son œuvre "Politique", décrit la politique comme une science pratique qui nécessite une application rationnelle de la théorie à la pratique. Aristote soutient que la politique est l'art de déterminer le meilleur moyen d'organiser la communauté, et que cela ne peut être réalisé qu'en utilisant la raison pour analyser et comprendre les situations complexes auxquelles la communauté est confrontée. En d'autres termes, le véritable politicien, selon Aristote, est quelqu'un qui peut appliquer la raison à la politique pour résoudre les problèmes et favoriser le bien-être de la communauté. Platon, dans "La République", défend également l'idée que la raison doit guider la politique. Pour Platon, la société idéale est gouvernée par des "philosophes-rois", qui sont capables d'utiliser leur raison pour voir au-delà des apparences trompeuses du monde sensible et comprendre les formes éternelles et immuables qui constituent la réalité véritable. Ainsi, pour ces philosophes classiques, la politique n'est pas simplement une affaire de pouvoir ou d'intérêt personnel, mais une question d'application rationnelle de principes éthiques pour le bénéfice de la communauté. La politique, pour eux, est une forme d'art qui requiert non seulement des compétences techniques, mais aussi la capacité de penser rationnellement et de prendre des décisions éthiques.
Classical philosophy strongly emphasised the importance of rationality in politics. Aristotle, for example, in his work "Politics", describes politics as a practical science that requires a rational application of theory to practice. Aristotle argues that politics is the art of determining the best way to organise the community, and that this can only be achieved by using reason to analyse and understand the complex situations facing the community. In other words, the true politician, according to Aristotle, is someone who can apply reason to politics in order to solve problems and promote the well-being of the community. Plato, in "The Republic", also defends the idea that reason should guide politics. For Plato, the ideal society is governed by "philosopher-kings", who are able to use their reason to see beyond the deceptive appearances of the sensible world and understand the eternal and unchanging forms that constitute true reality. Thus, for these classical philosophers, politics is not simply a matter of power or self-interest, but of the rational application of ethical principles for the benefit of the community. Politics, for them, is an art form that requires not only technical skills, but also the ability to think rationally and make ethical decisions.


Bien que traditionnellement la philosophie classique ait insisté sur l'importance de la raison dans la politique, il faut admettre que l'émotion joue un rôle important dans les comportements politiques, en particulier dans les situations de conflit ou de tension sociale. Les émeutes, par exemple, sont souvent le résultat d'un sentiment d'injustice, de frustration ou de marginalisation, et elles reflètent les émotions fortes de ceux qui y participent. Cela ne signifie pas pour autant que l'émotion est en soi irrationnelle ou nuisible. Les émotions peuvent fournir des informations précieuses sur notre environnement et peuvent motiver l'action de manière efficace. Cependant, elles peuvent également entraîner des comportements destructeurs ou impulsifs si elles ne sont pas bien gérées. En ce qui concerne le discours politique contemporain, il est vrai que l'émotion a acquis une importance considérable. Les politiciens ont de plus en plus recours à des stratégies rhétoriques émotionnelles pour mobiliser leurs électeurs. Cela peut être à la fois bénéfique et préjudiciable, selon la manière dont ces émotions sont utilisées. D'une part, elles peuvent favoriser l'engagement et la participation citoyenne. D'autre part, elles peuvent également être utilisées pour manipuler les opinions publiques et encourager la polarisation et le conflit.
Although classical philosophy has traditionally insisted on the importance of reason in politics, it must be admitted that emotion plays an important role in political behaviour, particularly in situations of conflict or social tension. Riots, for example, are often the result of a feeling of injustice, frustration or marginalisation, and they reflect the strong emotions of those involved. This does not mean, however, that emotion is in itself irrational or harmful. Emotions can provide valuable information about our environment and can effectively motivate action. However, they can also lead to destructive or impulsive behaviour if not properly managed. In contemporary political discourse, it is true that emotion has acquired considerable importance. Politicians are increasingly resorting to emotional rhetorical strategies to mobilise their voters. This can be both beneficial and detrimental, depending on how these emotions are used. On the one hand, they can encourage citizen involvement and participation. On the other hand, they can also be used to manipulate public opinion and encourage polarisation and conflict.


==Subversion et Révolutions : De l'Altercation à la Transformation Sociétale==
==Subversion and Revolutions: From Altercation to Societal Transformation==


La subversion est un concept intéressant en philosophie politique. Le terme "subversion" vient du latin "subvertere", qui signifie "renverser" ou "bouleverser". Le préfixe "sub" en latin signifie "sous" ou "en dessous", ce qui ajoute une dimension supplémentaire à l'idée de renversement - non seulement quelque chose est bouleversé, mais c'est fait d'une manière qui vient "d'en dessous" ou de l'intérieur. Dans un contexte politique, la subversion fait généralement référence à une tentative d'altérer ou de renverser les structures de pouvoir existantes. Cela peut impliquer diverses formes d'action, allant de la désobéissance civile à la résistance clandestine, en passant par des formes plus subtiles de critique et de remise en question des idéologies dominantes. Dans de nombreux cas, la subversion est considérée comme une forme d'activité politique radicale. Cependant, elle peut aussi être vue comme un aspect important de tout système politique sain, dans la mesure où elle permet une contestation et un débat ouverts, ce qui est essentiel pour le fonctionnement de la démocratie. C'est souvent à travers des actes de subversion que de nouvelles idées et perspectives peuvent émerger et être intégrées dans le discours politique.
Subversion is an interesting concept in political philosophy. The word "subversion" comes from the Latin "subvertere", which means "to overthrow" or "to upset". The prefix "sub" in Latin means "under" or "beneath", which adds an extra dimension to the idea of overturning - not only is something overturned, but it is done in a way that comes "from beneath" or from within. In a political context, subversion generally refers to an attempt to alter or overthrow existing power structures. This can involve various forms of action, from civil disobedience to clandestine resistance, as well as more subtle forms of criticism and questioning of dominant ideologies. In many cases, subversion is seen as a form of radical political activity. However, it can also be seen as an important aspect of any healthy political system, insofar as it allows for open contestation and debate, which is essential to the functioning of democracy. It is often through acts of subversion that new ideas and perspectives can emerge and be integrated into political discourse.


La subversion est une action stratégique et délibérée visant à déstabiliser ou renverser une institution, une structure de pouvoir, ou même une idéologie. À la différence de l'émeute, qui est souvent spontanée et imprévisible, la subversion est caractérisée par la préméditation et l'intentionnalité. La subversion est souvent une démarche de long terme, car le renversement d'un système ou d'une structure de pouvoir ne se produit généralement pas du jour au lendemain. Elle implique généralement une planification soigneuse et une coordination entre les différents acteurs impliqués. En outre, la subversion peut prendre de nombreuses formes, allant de la désobéissance civile à la propagande, en passant par des actions plus directes telles que la grève, le boycott, ou même la rébellion armée. Elle peut également prendre des formes plus subtiles, comme l'usage de l'art, de la satire ou de la littérature pour critiquer ou remettre en question les structures de pouvoir existantes. La subversion est généralement perçue comme une menace par ceux qui détiennent le pouvoir, et peut donc souvent être rencontrée avec une forte résistance ou répression.
Subversion is a strategic and deliberate action aimed at destabilising or overthrowing an institution, a power structure or even an ideology. Unlike rioting, which is often spontaneous and unpredictable, subversion is characterised by premeditation and intentionality. Subversion is often a long-term process, as the overthrow of a system or power structure does not usually happen overnight. It usually involves careful planning and coordination between the different actors involved. Moreover, subversion can take many forms, ranging from civil disobedience and propaganda to more direct actions such as strikes, boycotts and even armed rebellion. It can also take more subtle forms, such as using art, satire or literature to criticise or challenge existing power structures. Subversion is generally perceived as a threat by those in power, and can therefore often be met with strong resistance or repression.


La "constitution d'une force d'action pour transformer" est une notion fondamentale dans plusieurs disciplines, notamment dans les domaines militaire, stratégique et géopolitique. Elle se réfère au processus par lequel un groupe ou une entité se prépare à instiguer un changement significatif. Dans un contexte militaire, cette idée s'applique souvent à la planification stratégique, où les forces armées se préparent à intervenir pour atteindre un objectif, que ce soit une victoire dans un conflit ou la réalisation d'un objectif politique précis. Du point de vue géopolitique, cela peut impliquer la mobilisation d'alliés, l'emploi de la diplomatie, l'offre d'aide économique, l'utilisation de la propagande, ou d'autres tactiques pour influencer la situation d'une région ou d'un pays particulier. L'objectif est de provoquer un changement qui sert les intérêts de l'acteur impliqué. Dans d'autres contextes, comme le lancement d'une nouvelle entreprise, l'innovation technologique, ou les changements sociaux et politiques, cette notion peut faire référence à la mobilisation de ressources, qu'il s'agisse de capital, de technologie, ou de ressources humaines. Néanmoins, indépendamment du contexte, la "constitution d'une force d'action pour transformer" nécessite une vision claire des changements désirés, une stratégie pour les réaliser, et la capacité de mobiliser et d'aligner les ressources nécessaires pour mettre en œuvre cette stratégie.
Building a force for transformation" is a fundamental concept in several disciplines, particularly in the military, strategic and geopolitical fields. It refers to the process by which a group or entity prepares to instigate significant change. In a military context, this idea is often applied to strategic planning, where the armed forces prepare to intervene to achieve an objective, be it victory in a conflict or the achievement of a specific political goal. From a geopolitical point of view, this may involve mobilising allies, using diplomacy, offering economic aid, using propaganda, or other tactics to influence the situation in a particular region or country. The aim is to bring about a change that serves the interests of the actor involved. In other contexts, such as the launch of a new business, technological innovation, or social and political change, this notion may refer to the mobilisation of resources, whether capital, technology, or human resources. However, regardless of the context, 'building the force to transform' requires a clear vision of the changes desired, a strategy for achieving them, and the ability to mobilise and align the resources needed to implement that strategy.


Les trois stratégies suivantes - l'encerclement idéologique, politique et stratégique - sont des techniques classiques de subversion. Elles ont pour objectif de restreindre, affaiblir et finalement renverser le pouvoir en place.
The following three strategies - ideological, political and strategic encirclement - are classic subversion techniques. Their aim is to restrict, weaken and ultimately overthrow the powers that be.
# Ideological encirclement: This approach seeks to counter the opponent's ideas by proposing a different, often more attractive or convincing, framework of thought. The aim is to win people's support and isolate the opponent by depriving them of their ideological support.
# Political encirclement: This strategy aims to influence, control or neutralise key political players, such as legislators, civil servants, opinion leaders or even the media. The aim is to limit the opponent's ability to make decisions and take action.
# Strategic encirclement: This involves creating a hostile environment for the adversary, which may involve mobilising resources, imposing economic sanctions or even military action. The aim is to restrict the opponent's ability to function effectively.


# '''Encerclement idéologique''': Cette approche cherche à contrecarrer les idées de l'adversaire en proposant un cadre de pensée différent, souvent plus attrayant ou convaincant. L'objectif est de gagner le soutien des personnes et d'isoler l'adversaire en le privant de son soutien idéologique.
These three types of encirclement can be used independently or together, depending on the situation and the specific objectives. However, it should be noted that they all involve a degree of conflict and may result in resistance from the adversary.
# '''Encerclement politique''': Cette stratégie vise à influencer, contrôler ou neutraliser les acteurs politiques clés, tels que les législateurs, les fonctionnaires, les leaders d'opinion, ou même les médias. L'objectif est de limiter la capacité de l'adversaire à prendre des décisions et à agir.
# '''Encerclement stratégique''': Il s'agit de créer un environnement hostile à l'adversaire, qui peut comprendre la mobilisation de ressources, la mise en place de sanctions économiques, ou même des actions militaires. L'objectif est de restreindre la capacité de l'adversaire à fonctionner efficacement.


Ces trois types d'encerclement peuvent être utilisés de manière indépendante ou conjointe, en fonction de la situation et des objectifs spécifiques. Cependant, il convient de noter qu'elles impliquent toutes un certain degré de conflit et peuvent entraîner une résistance de la part de l'adversaire.
Subversion is a strategy or series of tactics designed to weaken an opponent by bringing about change, often from within. This strategy is not limited to the use of brute force, although this may be part of the approach in some cases. Subversive actions can include activities designed to undermine the authority, morale, cohesion or credibility of the adversary. Subversion can take many forms, from disinformation and propaganda to creating internal dissension, mobilising the population or exploiting existing divisions. The aim of these tactics is often to change the power structures in place, to force the adversary to change its behaviour, or to alter the status quo in favour of the group carrying out the subversive actions. In the context of a struggle for power or control, subversion can be a powerful tool. It is a means of exerting influence or pressure without resorting to direct confrontation or violence. However, because of its indirect and often clandestine nature, subversion can be difficult to detect and counter, making it a potentially very effective strategy for those seeking to bring about change.


La subversion est une stratégie ou une série de tactiques visant à affaiblir un adversaire en provoquant un changement, souvent de l'intérieur. Cette stratégie ne se limite pas à l'usage de la force brute, bien que cela puisse faire partie de l'approche dans certains cas. Les actions subversives peuvent inclure des activités conçues pour saper l'autorité, le moral, la cohésion ou la crédibilité de l'adversaire. La subversion peut prendre plusieurs formes, allant de la désinformation et de la propagande à la création de dissensions internes, à la mobilisation de la population ou à l'exploitation des divisions existantes. L'objectif de ces tactiques est souvent de changer les structures de pouvoir en place, de contraindre l'adversaire à changer de comportement, ou de modifier le statu quo en faveur du groupe qui mène les actions subversives. Dans le contexte d'une lutte pour le pouvoir ou le contrôle, la subversion peut être un outil puissant. C'est un moyen d'exercer de l'influence ou d'exercer une pression sans avoir recours à une confrontation directe ou à la violence. Cependant, en raison de sa nature indirecte et souvent clandestine, la subversion peut être difficile à détecter et à contrer, ce qui en fait une stratégie potentiellement très efficace pour ceux qui cherchent à provoquer un changement.
Roger Mucchielli was a French psychosociologist and philosopher who was born in Marseille on 11 March 1919 and died on 29 May 1983. He is best known for his work on the psychosociology of organisations and communication. Mucchielli contributed to a wide variety of fields, including education, psychology and philosophy. He trained in philosophy and psychology at the Sorbonne, where he studied under such eminent figures as Gaston Bachelard and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Later, he turned to the study of psychosociology, contributing to the emergence of this discipline in France. His most notable contributions include his analysis of interpersonal and group communication, his work on group dynamics and his thoughts on leadership. He is the author of numerous books on these subjects, including "La dynamique des groupes" and "Le travail en équipe". He has also developed the concept of "subversion", defined as an attempt to overthrow an existing power structure by clandestine and often indirect means. He analysed the techniques of subversion and their use in various contexts, including political and social conflict. Over the course of his career, Mucchielli has held a number of academic posts, including director of research at the CNRS and professor at the University of Paris X-Nanterre. He has also been active in the field of professional training, particularly in communication and leadership in organisations.


Roger Mucchielli est un psychosociologue et un philosophe français né le 11 mars 1919 à Marseille et décédé le 29 mai 1983. Il est surtout connu pour son travail sur la psychosociologie des organisations et la communication. Mucchielli a contribué à une grande variété de domaines, y compris l'éducation, la psychologie et la philosophie. Il a reçu sa formation en philosophie et en psychologie à la Sorbonne, où il a étudié sous la direction de figures éminentes comme Gaston Bachelard et Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Plus tard, il s'est tourné vers l'étude de la psychosociologie, contribuant à l'émergence de cette discipline en France. Parmi ses contributions les plus notables, on peut citer son analyse de la communication interpersonnelle et de groupe, ses travaux sur la dynamique des groupes et ses réflexions sur le leadership. Il est l'auteur de nombreux livres sur ces sujets, dont "La dynamique des groupes" et "Le travail en équipe". Il a aussi développé le concept de "subversion", défini comme une tentative de renversement d'une structure de pouvoir en place à travers des moyens clandestins et souvent indirects. Il a analysé les techniques de subversion et leur utilisation dans divers contextes, y compris les conflits politiques et sociaux. Au cours de sa carrière, Mucchielli a occupé plusieurs postes académiques, dont celui de directeur de recherche au CNRS et de professeur à l'Université de Paris X-Nanterre. Il a aussi été actif dans le domaine de la formation professionnelle, en particulier dans le domaine de la communication et du leadership dans les organisations.
In his work, Roger Mucchielli identifies three main issues or objectives in subversion, each associated with specific techniques and justified by the nature of the conflict involved:
# Demoralising the target nation: This involves undermining the morale, unity and coherence of a nation or specific group, often through disinformation or propaganda campaigns designed to sow doubt and mistrust. Demoralisation can weaken a nation's resilience, making it more vulnerable to other forms of subversion.
# Discrediting authority: This involves efforts to discredit leaders or institutions in positions of authority. This can be done through communication campaigns that present the opponent as a threat, highlight their failures or exploit their controversies to diminish public confidence in them.
# Neutralising the masses: This aims to prevent popular support for the regime in power. For example, by manipulating public opinion through disinformation or propaganda, or by creating divisions within the population to weaken its support for the existing authority.


Roger Mucchielli, dans ses travaux, identifie trois principaux enjeux ou objectifs de la subversion, chacun associé à des techniques spécifiques et se justifiant par la nature du conflit engagé :
In all these cases, subversion is a form of psychological warfare, which can be employed insidiously and often under the radar. Although these tactics may be non-violent in themselves, they can also trigger or amplify violence if necessary, making subversion potentially very destabilising.


# '''Démoraliser la nation visée''' : Il s'agit de saper le moral, l'unité et la cohérence d'une nation ou d'un groupe spécifique, souvent par le biais de campagnes de désinformation ou de propagande visant à semer le doute et la méfiance. La démoralisation peut affaiblir la résilience d'une nation, ce qui la rend plus vulnérable aux autres formes de subversion.
The media play a crucial role in the subversion process, as they are often used to influence public opinion. The propagation of information, whether accurate or manipulated, through the media can shape people's perceptions and direct their attitudes and beliefs. Subversion can be seen as a kind of "staging" where information is presented in such a way as to support a certain point of view or cause. For example, certain information may be highlighted while others are omitted or distorted, creating a certain image of reality that may not correspond to the actual situation. With the advent of social networks and digital platforms, the ability to disseminate information quickly and widely has been greatly amplified. These tools can be used effectively to influence public opinion, either for good by raising awareness of important issues, or for ill by spreading disinformation or propaganda.
# '''Discréditer l'autorité''' : Cela implique des efforts pour discréditer les leaders ou les institutions en position d'autorité. Cela peut se faire par des campagnes de communication qui présentent l'adversaire comme une menace, mettent en évidence ses échecs ou exploitent ses controverses pour diminuer la confiance du public envers lui.
# '''Neutraliser les masses''' : Ceci vise à empêcher le soutien populaire envers le régime en place. Par exemple, en manipulant l'opinion publique à travers la désinformation ou la propagande, ou en créant des divisions au sein de la population pour affaiblir son soutien à l'autorité existante.


Dans tous ces cas, la subversion est une forme de guerre psychologique, qui peut être employée de manière insidieuse et souvent sous le radar. Bien que ces tactiques puissent être non violentes en elles-mêmes, elles peuvent également déclencher ou amplifier la violence si nécessaire, ce qui rend la subversion potentiellement très déstabilisante.
The manipulation of information and the construction of a specific reality can lead to the erosion of trust in a regime or authority and the creation of an environment conducive to opposition and dissent. In some cases, this can be done by amplifying existing problems, distorting reality, or creating new information that incites discontent or dissent. This technique is often used in politics to discredit opponents or to generate support for a particular cause. While this strategy can be effective in the short term, it can have harmful long-term consequences, including misinformation, increased polarisation, erosion of trust in institutions and increased social instability.


Les médias jouent un rôle crucial dans le processus de subversion, car ils sont souvent utilisés pour influencer l'opinion publique. La propagation d'informations, qu'elles soient exactes ou manipulées, à travers les médias peut façonner la perception des gens et orienter leurs attitudes et leurs croyances. La subversion peut être vue comme une sorte de "mise en scène" où l'information est présentée de manière à soutenir un certain point de vue ou une certaine cause. Par exemple, certaines informations peuvent être mises en avant tandis que d'autres sont omises ou déformées, créant ainsi une certaine image de la réalité qui peut ne pas correspondre à la situation réelle. Avec l'avènement des réseaux sociaux et des plateformes numériques, la capacité de diffuser des informations rapidement et à grande échelle a été grandement amplifiée. Ces outils peuvent être utilisés de manière efficace pour influencer l'opinion publique, soit pour le bien en sensibilisant sur des problèmes importants, soit pour le mal en propageant de la désinformation ou de la propagande.  
Subversion is a powerful tool for influencing and changing the political landscape. It is used to create change within a political system by attacking its power structures and ideological foundations. By exploiting internal tensions, political disagreements and social inequalities, subversion movements seek to destabilise and eventually overthrow existing political regimes. These actions can take many forms, ranging from propaganda and disinformation to incitement to civil disobedience, as well as more direct and potentially violent activities. Despite its potential to bring about change, civil disobedience is not without its risks. It can lead to civil unrest, political instability and even violence. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the system that emerges from subversion will be better or fairer than the previous system. Ultimately, subversion is a complex and potentially dangerous tool for change, and its use must be carefully considered in the light of its potential repercussions.


La manipulation de l'information et la construction d'une réalité spécifique peuvent conduire à l'érosion de la confiance dans un régime ou une autorité et à la création d'un environnement propice à l'opposition et à la contestation. Dans certains cas, cela peut être fait en amplifiant les problèmes existants, en déformant la réalité, ou en créant de nouvelles informations qui incitent à la mécontentement ou à la dissidence. C'est une technique souvent utilisée en politique pour discréditer les adversaires ou pour susciter le soutien à une certaine cause. Bien que cette stratégie puisse être efficace à court terme, elle peut avoir des conséquences néfastes à long terme, notamment la désinformation, l'augmentation de la polarisation, l'érosion de la confiance dans les institutions et une instabilité sociale accrue.
=Contemporary Renaissance of Protest: New Paradigms and Actors=


La subversion est un outil puissant capable d'influencer et de modifier le paysage politique. Elle est utilisée pour créer un changement au sein d'un système politique en s'attaquant à ses structures de pouvoir et à ses fondements idéologiques. En exploitant les tensions internes, les désaccords politiques, les inégalités sociales, les mouvements de subversion cherchent à déstabiliser et éventuellement à renverser les régimes politiques en place. Ces actions peuvent prendre plusieurs formes, allant de la propagande et de la désinformation à l'incitation à la désobéissance civile, en passant par des activités plus directes et potentiellement violentes. En dépit de son potentiel de changement, n'est pas sans risques. Elle peut entraîner des troubles civils, l'instabilité politique, voire la violence. Par ailleurs, il n'y a aucune garantie que le système qui émergera de la subversion sera meilleur ou plus équitable que le système précédent. En fin de compte, la subversion est un outil de changement complexe et potentiellement dangereux, et son utilisation doit être soigneusement considérée en tenant compte de ses répercussions potentielles.
==The Counter-Power : A Redefinition of the Concept==
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=Renaissance Contemporaine de la Contestation : Nouveaux Paradigmes et Acteurs=
The concept of counter-power is central to modern political theory. It is the idea that there must exist in a society groups or institutions capable of checking, balancing or challenging the power of the established authorities. These checks and balances can take many forms, including the media, the courts, trade unions, civil rights groups, or even broader social movements. Over the past twenty years, we have seen an upsurge in protest movements, often supported by modern technologies such as social media, which have transformed the way counter-powers can organise and act. For example, movements such as the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, the Gilets Jaunes in France and the Black Lives Matter movement in the US have all demonstrated how modern technologies can enable groups of citizens to challenge power and aspire to social and political change. These modern counter-powers have the ability to mobilise large groups of people quickly, disseminate information and maintain an open dialogue with the public. This enables them to exert pressure on the established authorities and to oppose policies or practices that they deem unjust. However, these movements also face many challenges, particularly in terms of internal cohesion, defining clear objectives, and resisting repression or co-option by the established authorities. The rise of modern counter-powers has profoundly transformed the contemporary political landscape, providing new opportunities for contestation and change, but also presenting new challenges and uncertainties.


==Le Contrepouvoir : Une Redéfinition du Concept==
Miguel Benasayag and Diego Sztulwark's book "Du Contre-pouvoir", published in 2000, offers an in-depth reflection on the evolution of forms of struggle and contestation in contemporary society. In this book, the authors suggest that the traditional dynamic of counter-power, based on the idea of direct confrontation with the established authorities in the hope of overthrowing or reforming them, may have lost its relevance in the current context. They argue that in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, where power is no longer concentrated in one place but is diffuse and spread across multiple networks and institutions, traditional strategies of confrontation may prove ineffective. Instead, Benasayag and Sztulwark propose the idea of a 'multitude' of micro-struggles, which seek less to seize power than to create spaces of autonomy and resistance within the existing system. These micro-struggles can take many different forms, from involvement in local community projects to participation in large-scale social movements. While this approach can open up new possibilities for resistance and action, it also raises many questions and challenges, particularly in terms of coordination and coherence between different struggles, as well as their ability to resist co-option or repression by the forces of established power. "Du Contre-pouvoir offers an interesting and provocative perspective on the dilemmas and potentialities of political struggle in the contemporary world.
[[Fichier:Du contre pouvoir.png|200px|vignette|droite]]
 
In the 1970s, the dominant approach to political and social struggles was mainly guided by comprehensive and coherent ideologies. Collective action was widely understood as an attempt to seize central power in order to implement a comprehensive ideological programme, often geared towards a radical transformation of society. However, in the light of the relative failure of these approaches - partly due to the co-option of activists by the institutions they sought to transform, but also due to the challenges inherent in achieving large-scale social change - a new generation of activists has emerged, adopting a different approach. These modern activists tend to favour decentralised action, rooted in local communities and focused on concrete, specific issues. Rather than seeking to take control of existing institutions, they seek to create new spaces for autonomy and resistance within the system, through initiatives such as co-operatives, self-help groups, community gardens, independent media and so on. This reflects a growing recognition that today's global problems - such as climate change, economic inequality and the refugee crisis - are largely the result of past failures and cannot be solved simply by seizing central power. Instead, they require a multitude of local responses, tailored to the specific conditions of each community, but linked together by networks of solidarity and cooperation.
 
The paradox is that we can no longer hide behind grand ideologies for change, but we can no longer have grand programmes, which allow us to have projects and to be more active within society and in bringing about change. In this new order of things, the transformation of society is no longer based on adherence to a complete and coherent ideological programme, but rather on a series of specific and concrete projects that reflect the needs and aspirations of particular communities. This change can have several advantages. On the one hand, it may allow greater flexibility and adaptability in developing responses to social problems. Rather than trying to force the complex and diverse reality of society to conform to a predefined ideological vision, this approach allows the variety of local situations to be taken into account and solutions to be developed that are tailored to these specific situations. On the other hand, this approach can also encourage greater participation and deeper involvement by ordinary citizens in the processes of social transformation. Rather than feeling alienated by abstract and distant ideological discourse, individuals can feel more involved and invested in projects that directly affect their daily lives.
 
How can political effectiveness be achieved? Wouldn't it lie elsewhere than in subversion?
 
A recent trend in political and social thought emphasises local mobilisation and the development of alternative forms of power as a means of social transformation. From this perspective, counter-power is understood not as a force that directly opposes or attempts to overthrow existing power, but rather as a force that seeks to build new forms of power from below, often on the margins or outside the traditional structures of political power. This approach can include actions such as creating autonomous communities, setting up alternative economic systems, promoting popular education, and organising social movements around specific issues. However, this type of strategy is not without its own challenges and contradictions. For example, it can be difficult to avoid interaction with traditional power structures altogether, and there can be tensions between the need to preserve the autonomy of local initiatives and the need to build broader alliances to address issues on a national or global scale. Furthermore, while the development of local counter-powers can represent an important route to social change, it is also important not to underestimate the potential for resistance from existing power structures. In many cases, these structures may be able to resist or suppress counter-power efforts, or even co-opt or absorb such efforts to their own advantage. Finally, it should be remembered that building a counterweight is a long-term process that requires sustained commitment and solid organisation. It is not simply a question of sporadic mobilisations or isolated protests, but of ongoing work to build new power relations and transform existing social structures.
 
The issue of violence in a protest movement is complex and ambiguous. Often, groups facing systemic and institutionalised oppression feel obliged to resort to violence to make themselves heard, believing that this is the only way to draw attention to their demands. This raises a series of moral and ethical questions. On the one hand, it can be argued that the use of violence by oppressed groups is a legitimate response to the institutional violence they suffer. This perspective is largely influenced by theorists such as Frantz Fanon, who saw violence as a way for the colonised to regain their humanity in the face of the dehumanising violence of colonialism. On the other hand, there are strong arguments against the use of violence in protest movements. Some argue that violence is inherently immoral, regardless of the circumstances. Others point to the harmful practical consequences of violence: it can reinforce existing prejudices, alienate potential supporters, and give the authorities a pretext for suppressing the movement. Figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi have advocated non-violence as a more effective and ethical strategy for achieving social change.
 
The notions of violence and non-violence are not always clearly defined. Violence can take many forms, from direct physical violence to structural or symbolic violence. Similarly, non-violence does not simply mean the absence of violence, but often involves active and committed resistance. The issue of violence in protest movements remains an open question, subject to ongoing debate. Each situation is unique and requires careful analysis of the specific circumstances, the objectives of the movement, and the potential consequences of different strategies of action.
 
According to Marxist precepts, a proletarian revolution - often involving a degree of violence - is seen as necessary to overthrow the existing capitalist order and establish a more equitable society. However, there is an inherent tension between the pursuit of a better world - characterised by greater equality, justice and mutual respect - and the use of violence to achieve this goal. Many Marxist and socialist thinkers and activists have sought non-violent means of achieving radical societal change. For example, the concept of a "cultural revolution" implies a profound transformation of society's values and attitudes, which can potentially be achieved without physical violence. At the same time, there is a growing need to rethink strategies for action and activism. Contemporary protest movements are increasingly focused on local and grassroots action, working to build alternatives within existing structures rather than overthrowing those structures through violence. These movements often seek to challenge and disrupt the dominant social order through forms of direct action, civil disobedience, advocacy and cultural resistance. They also focus on creating new forms of community and social organisation that are more inclusive, egalitarian and sustainable. While the issue of violence continues to be a subject of debate and controversy within protest movements, there is also a wide range of non-violent strategies and approaches available to those seeking to transform society in a more egalitarian way.
 
Benasayag's book highlights an important shift in the nature of social protest. He argues that we are witnessing a shift away from traditional trade unionism - which generally focuses on defending the specific interests of a particular group of workers - towards a broader form of societal protest. In this new paradigm of social struggle, activists seek to challenge and transform the dominant structures and ideologies of society as a whole, rather than focusing solely on narrower issues of work and employment. This means that they can potentially have a wider and deeper impact, as they seek to change not only specific policies and practices, but also people's patterns of thinking and attitudes. This also has important implications for the way in which these movements organise and act. Instead of relying primarily on institutional structures such as trade unions, they can adopt more flexible and decentralised forms of organisation, and use a variety of tactics, including direct action, civil disobedience, public awareness and education, and the creation of concrete alternatives to existing systems. Benasayag's concept of "counter-power" is particularly relevant in this context. Instead of seeking to take control of existing power, protest movements aim to create a new kind of power - one that emanates from below and is rooted in the active participation and autonomy of individuals and communities. This has the potential to offer a more democratic and egalitarian way of transforming society.
 
==The New Civic Movements: Dynamics and Impacts of Modern Protest==
Ulrich Beck, an influential German sociologist, is best known for his work on the 'risk society'. In "Power and counter-power in a globalised world", he examines the evolution of power in a globalised world. Beck analyses the transformation of political power on a global scale. He highlights the increase in the power of multinationals and non-state actors, along with the relative decline in the power of nation states. He also observes the development of what he calls 'global counter-power', which brings together social movements, NGOs, protest movements and other forms of activism that seek to challenge and reform the current global system. According to Beck, these movements constitute a form of cosmopolitan democracy that opposes authoritarianism and injustice on a global scale. Finally, Beck argues that globalisation has created a new type of risk - risks that are fundamentally incalculable and unpredictable, and that can have devastating consequences on a global scale. He therefore proposes a new form of policy, which he calls 'risk management policy', which focuses on preventing, minimising and managing these global risks. "Power and Counter-Power in a Globalised World offers a provocative and in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities of politics in a globalised world. It suggests that despite the considerable challenges we face, there are also opportunities for a new political engagement and a new kind of democracy that could rise to these challenges.
 
In "Power and counter-power in a globalised world", Ulrich Beck proposes the concept of "methodological cosmopolitanism" as a new tool for understanding and analysing social phenomena in an increasingly globalised society. Methodological cosmopolitanism is an approach that invites us to look beyond the national framework when analysing social, political or economic phenomena. Instead of focusing solely on national borders and cultural differences, this approach encourages us to take into account the interactions, interdependencies and exchanges that take place on a global scale. In other words, methodological cosmopolitanism seeks to reveal how global processes shape local realities and vice versa. According to Beck, the age of globalisation is forcing us to rethink traditional forms of social protest. Social movements are no longer just national, but transnational, and the issues they address are often global in scope, such as climate change, economic inequality, or human rights. In this way, Beck suggests that traditional forms of social and political struggle need to be revisited in the light of this new paradigm. The new forms of protest must be built on a scale that goes beyond national borders, because it is on this scale that the major problems of our time are now posed.
 
In today's globalised society, cultural, ethnic and national differences rub shoulders and mix in an unprecedented way, creating a kind of global cosmopolitanism. This is largely facilitated by technological advances, particularly in the fields of information and communication, which enable the rapid dissemination and exchange of information without borders. This phenomenon is often associated with globalisation and the digital revolution. People, information and goods can cross borders with unprecedented ease. This has led to greater interconnection and interdependence between people, cultures and economies around the world. However, while cosmopolitanism can be seen as a positive sign of global openness and interconnectedness, it also raises significant challenges. These include the management of cultural diversity, growing inequalities, the protection of human rights on a global scale, and the preservation of the environment. The concept of 'methodological cosmopolitanism' proposed by Ulrich Beck aims precisely to take account of these challenges, by proposing a new tool for understanding and analysing social phenomena in the age of globalisation. By adopting this approach, we can better grasp the complexity and interdependence of global problems, and find more effective and equitable solutions.
 
Ulrich Beck argues that we have entered an era of 'cosmopolitanism', in which globalised society is radically transforming the way we think and interact. In his view, this process of globalisation is leading to the 'depoliticisation' of the nation-state, meaning that political issues now transcend national boundaries and have become global. This is leading to an 'infrapolitisation' of society, where questions of policy and governance are decided at a global, sometimes even transnational, level. In this context, the nation state is no longer the only major political player. Other players, such as international organisations, multinational companies, NGOs and even individuals, are playing an increasingly important role on the world stage. This is leading to a cosmopolitan global society, where cultural differences are integrated and we realise that we are all part of the same world. This new reality also poses new challenges. For example, how can we ensure fair representation of all stakeholders in global decision-making? How can we protect the rights of individuals and communities in the face of the power of multinational companies and nation states? How can we manage cultural and political conflicts in an increasingly diverse and interconnected society? Beck invites us to reflect on these questions and to seek new ways of waging social struggle in the context of global cosmopolitanism.


Le concept de contre-pouvoir est central dans la théorie politique moderne. Il s'agit de l'idée selon laquelle il doit exister dans une société des groupes ou des institutions capables de contrôler, d'équilibrer ou de contester le pouvoir des autorités établies. Ces contre-pouvoirs peuvent prendre de nombreuses formes, notamment les médias, les tribunaux, les syndicats, les groupes de défense des droits civils, ou même des mouvements sociaux plus larges. Au cours des vingt dernières années, nous avons assisté à une recrudescence des mouvements contestataires, souvent soutenus par des technologies modernes telles que les médias sociaux, qui ont transformé la manière dont les contre-pouvoirs peuvent s'organiser et agir. Par exemple, des mouvements comme les Printemps Arabes, Occupy Wall Street, les Gilets Jaunes en France ou encore le mouvement Black Lives Matter aux États-Unis, ont tous démontré comment les technologies modernes peuvent permettre à des groupes de citoyens de contester le pouvoir et d'aspirer à un changement social et politique. Ces contre-pouvoirs modernes ont la capacité de mobiliser rapidement de larges groupes de personnes, de diffuser des informations et de maintenir un dialogue ouvert avec le public. Cela leur permet d'exercer une pression sur les autorités établies et de s'opposer à des politiques ou des pratiques qu'ils jugent injustes. Cependant, ces mouvements sont aussi confrontés à de nombreux défis, notamment en matière de cohésion interne, de définition d'objectifs clairs, et de résistance à la répression ou à la cooptation par les autorités établies. La montée des contre-pouvoirs modernes a profondément transformé le paysage politique contemporain, en fournissant de nouvelles opportunités pour la contestation et le changement, mais aussi en présentant de nouveaux défis et incertitudes.
According to Ulrich Beck and other globalisation theorists, the traditional concept of the nation state is being challenged in an increasingly interconnected world. The nation state, as we know it, was formed in the context of an international system in which each state had sovereign control over its territory and the ability to act independently on the international stage. However, globalisation has overturned this configuration. With the expansion of world trade, instant communications, transnational capital flows and international migration, many challenges and problems have transcended national borders and require international solutions. Issues such as climate change, global poverty, pandemics, international terrorism and cybercrime are examples of challenges that cannot be solved by a single state acting alone. In this context, the authority and power of the nation-state to regulate these problems is being called into question. Hence the idea of the 'depoliticisation' of the nation state. It is not that nation states have become insignificant, but rather that their role and function have changed. They are now engaged in a complex series of interactions with other actors, including non-state actors, within the framework of global governance.
Le livre "Du Contre-pouvoir" de Miguel Benasayag et Diego Sztulwark, paru en 2000, propose une réflexion approfondie sur l'évolution des formes de lutte et de contestation dans la société contemporaine. Dans cet ouvrage, les auteurs suggèrent que la dynamique traditionnelle du contre-pouvoir, qui repose sur l'idée d'un affrontement direct avec les autorités établies dans l'espoir de les renverser ou de les réformer, a peut-être perdu de sa pertinence dans le contexte actuel. Selon eux, dans un monde de plus en plus complexe et interconnecté, où le pouvoir n'est plus concentré en un seul endroit mais est diffus et disséminé à travers de multiples réseaux et institutions, les stratégies traditionnelles de confrontation peuvent se révéler inefficaces. À la place, Benasayag et Sztulwark proposent l'idée d'une "multitude" de micro-luttes, qui cherchent moins à s'emparer du pouvoir qu'à créer des espaces d'autonomie et de résistance au sein du système existant. Ces micro-luttes peuvent prendre des formes très variées, allant de l'engagement dans des projets communautaires locaux à la participation à des mouvements sociaux à grande échelle. Bien que cette approche puisse offrir de nouvelles possibilités de résistance et d'action, elle soulève aussi de nombreuses questions et défis, notamment en ce qui concerne la coordination et la cohérence entre les différentes luttes, ainsi que leur capacité à résister à la cooptation ou à la répression par les forces du pouvoir établi. "Du Contre-pouvoir" offre une perspective intéressante et provocante sur les dilemmes et les potentialités de la lutte politique dans le monde contemporain.  


Dans les années 1970, l'approche dominante des luttes politiques et sociales était principalement guidée par des idéologies globales et cohérentes. L'action collective était largement comprise comme une tentative de saisir le pouvoir central afin de mettre en œuvre un programme idéologique complet, souvent orienté vers une transformation radicale de la société. Cependant, à la lumière de l'échec relatif de ces approches - en partie en raison de la cooptation des militants par les institutions qu'ils cherchaient à transformer, mais aussi en raison des défis inhérents à la réalisation de changements sociaux à grande échelle - une nouvelle génération de militants est apparue, adoptant une approche différente. Ces militants modernes privilégient plutôt une action décentralisée, enracinée dans les communautés locales et axée sur des questions concrètes et spécifiques. Plutôt que de chercher à prendre le contrôle des institutions existantes, ils cherchent à créer de nouveaux espaces d'autonomie et de résistance au sein du système, à travers des initiatives comme les coopératives, les collectifs d'auto-assistance, les jardins communautaires, les médias indépendants, etc. Cela reflète une reconnaissance croissante du fait que les problèmes mondiaux d'aujourd'hui - comme le changement climatique, l'inégalité économique et la crise des réfugiés - sont en grande partie le résultat d'échecs passés et ne peuvent pas être résolus simplement par la prise du pouvoir central. Au lieu de cela, ils exigent une multitude de réponses locales, adaptées aux conditions spécifiques de chaque communauté, mais reliées entre elles par des réseaux de solidarité et de coopération.
The growing interdependence of nations and the development of globalisation have given rise to a series of global challenges that transcend national borders. These cosmopolitical challenges require collective action on a global scale. Here are a few examples:
* Poverty: Despite the progress made in recent decades, poverty remains a major global problem. Income inequalities are increasing and extreme poverty persists in many countries. Fighting poverty requires coordinated efforts to stimulate economic development, improve access to education and guarantee human rights.
* Risks: Many risks, such as financial crises, pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime, are global in nature. Managing these risks requires close international cooperation.
* Inequalities: Despite global economic growth, inequalities persist and, in some cases, are increasing. Inequalities in wealth, education, health and life chances are worrying and require global attention and action.
* Global warming: Climate change is arguably the most pressing cosmopolitical challenge of our time. The impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and loss of biodiversity, are being felt around the world. Tackling climate change requires collective action on a global scale to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.


Le paradoxe est de ne plus se masquer de grandes idéologies pour le changement, mais il ne faut plus avoir de grands programmes, ce qui permet d’avoir des projets et d’être plus actif au sein de la société et pour la faire évoluer. Dans ce nouvel ordre des choses, la transformation de la société ne repose plus sur l'adhésion à un programme idéologique complet et cohérent, mais plutôt sur une série de projets spécifiques et concrets qui reflètent les besoins et les aspirations de communautés particulières. Ce changement peut avoir plusieurs avantages. D'une part, il peut permettre une plus grande flexibilité et adaptabilité dans l'élaboration de réponses aux problèmes sociaux. Plutôt que d'essayer de forcer la réalité complexe et diverse de la société à se conformer à une vision idéologique prédéfinie, cette approche permet de prendre en compte la variété des situations locales et de développer des solutions adaptées à ces situations spécifiques. D'autre part, cette approche peut aussi favoriser une plus grande participation et un engagement plus profond des citoyens ordinaires dans les processus de transformation sociale. Plutôt que de se sentir aliénés par des discours idéologiques abstraits et distants, les individus peuvent se sentir plus impliqués et investis dans des projets qui touchent directement leur vie quotidienne.
In this context, the role of politics is not disappearing, but it is changing. Governments, international organisations, businesses, NGOs and citizens are all called upon to play a role in managing these global challenges.
'''Comment fabriquer une efficacité politique ? Ne serait-elle pas ailleurs que dans la subversion ?'''


Une tendance récente dans la pensée politique et sociale met l'accent sur la mobilisation locale et le développement de formes alternatives de pouvoir comme moyen de transformation sociale. Dans cette perspective, le contre-pouvoir est compris non pas comme une force qui s'oppose directement ou tente de renverser le pouvoir existant, mais plutôt comme une force qui cherche à construire de nouvelles formes de pouvoir par le bas, souvent en marge ou en dehors des structures traditionnelles du pouvoir politique. Cette approche peut inclure des actions telles que la création de communautés autonomes, la mise en place de systèmes économiques alternatifs, la promotion de l'éducation populaire, et l'organisation de mouvements sociaux autour de questions spécifiques. Cependant, ce type de stratégie n'est pas sans ses propres défis et contradictions. Par exemple, il peut être difficile d'éviter complètement l'interaction avec les structures traditionnelles du pouvoir, et il peut y avoir des tensions entre la nécessité de préserver l'autonomie des initiatives locales et la nécessité de construire des alliances plus larges pour faire face à des problèmes d'échelle nationale ou mondiale. De plus, bien que le développement de contre-pouvoirs locaux puisse représenter une voie importante vers le changement social, il est également important de ne pas sous-estimer le potentiel de résistance des structures de pouvoir existantes. Dans de nombreux cas, ces structures peuvent être en mesure de résister ou de réprimer les efforts de contre-pouvoir, ou même de coopter ou d'absorber ces efforts à leur propre avantage. Enfin, il convient de rappeler que la construction d'un contre-pouvoir est un processus à long terme qui nécessite un engagement soutenu et une organisation solide. Il ne s'agit pas simplement de mobilisations sporadiques ou de protestations isolées, mais d'un travail continu de construction de nouvelles relations de pouvoir et de transformation des structures sociales existantes.
The emergence of the cosmopolitan society and global challenges raises complex and unprecedented issues that require a new way of thinking and acting. Traditional paradigms based on national sovereignty and the nation-state are being called into question, as they are no longer sufficient to solve today's problems. These global challenges transcend national borders and require international cooperation on an unprecedented scale. They call for a rethink of our concept of governance, requiring multilateral and multi-sectoral approaches, involving a multitude of actors, from governments and international organisations to businesses, NGOs, civil society groups and ordinary citizens. Furthermore, the complexity of these challenges requires an interdisciplinary approach, where different branches of knowledge - from the social sciences to the natural sciences and the humanities - need to work together to come up with viable solutions. Finally, there is a need to develop new structures and institutions capable of managing these problems on a global scale. The question of power and authority in this cosmopolitan society is becoming complex, as it has to be shared and negotiated between many actors at different levels - local, national, regional and global. We are facing a period of profound change and reinvention. The challenge is to create new forms of cooperation, governance and power adapted to this globalised and interconnected reality.


La question de la violence dans le cadre d'un mouvement contestataire est complexe et ambigüe. Souvent, les groupes qui font face à une oppression systémique et institutionnalisée se sentent obligés de recourir à la violence pour se faire entendre, estimant que c'est le seul moyen d'attirer l'attention sur leurs revendications. Cela pose une série de questions morales et éthiques. D'une part, on peut soutenir que l'usage de la violence par des groupes opprimés est une réponse légitime à la violence institutionnelle qu'ils subissent. C'est une perspective qui est largement influencée par des théoriciens tels que Frantz Fanon, qui a vu la violence comme un moyen pour les colonisés de retrouver leur humanité face à la violence déshumanisante du colonialisme. D'autre part, il y a des arguments solides contre l'usage de la violence dans les mouvements contestataires. Certains soutiennent que la violence est en soi immoral, indépendamment des circonstances. D'autres soulignent les conséquences pratiques néfastes de la violence : elle peut renforcer les préjugés existants, aliéner les sympathisants potentiels, et donner aux autorités un prétexte pour réprimer le mouvement. Des figures comme Martin Luther King Jr. et Mahatma Gandhi ont prôné la non-violence comme une stratégie plus efficace et éthique pour obtenir des changements sociaux.
Ulrich Beck proposes a reinterpretation of the concept of the state and politics in the age of globalisation. In his view, the state and politics need to be rethought to take account of the global challenges facing our society. In this sense, the new struggles are no longer limited to the class struggle, but also concern transnational and global issues such as the environment, social and economic justice, human rights, etc. These struggles manifest themselves in a variety of ways. These struggles manifest themselves in a variety of ways, ranging from product boycotts to environmental policies and advocacy for equal rights. From this perspective, the conflict has not disappeared, but it has been transformed. It has moved from the national to the international stage, and has taken on new forms, going beyond the old methods of political mobilisation. This is a major change, because it means that the struggle for change is no longer confined within the borders of one state, but extends to the whole of global society. This implies a new way of thinking about political engagement and the struggle for social change, which goes beyond national borders and is based on global solidarity and collective action. This paradigm shift poses major challenges in terms of coordination, cooperation and conflict management on a global scale. It also calls for a new understanding of power and governance structures adapted to this globalised reality. It is important to understand that this cosmopolitical philosophical position will be able to take a considerable step forward, because all the barriers have been removed. Tomorrow's challenges are not about state sovereignty.


Les notions de violence et de non-violence ne sont pas toujours clairement définies. La violence peut prendre de nombreuses formes, allant de la violence physique directe à la violence structurelle ou symbolique. De même, la non-violence ne signifie pas simplement l'absence de violence, mais implique souvent une résistance active et engagée. La question de la violence dans les mouvements contestataires reste une question ouverte, sujette à un débat continu. Chaque situation est unique et nécessite une analyse attentive des circonstances spécifiques, des objectifs du mouvement, et des conséquences potentielles de différentes stratégies d'action.  
Cosmopolitan protest, in the context of globalisation, has given rise to new forms of activism that transcend national borders. Increasingly, social movements are no longer confined to a single country, but involve a coalition of actors scattered across the globe, joining forces to tackle global challenges. A notable example of this new activism is the emergence of what might be called "movements of the voiceless". These groups, which can include people who are homeless, unemployed, undocumented, etc., are often marginalised within their own societies. However, as part of cosmopolitical protest, these groups mobilise and form alliances to defend their rights and interests. These "have-nots" are what are often referred to as "active minorities" in protest movements. Despite their marginal status, these groups can have a significant impact on policies and practices, both nationally and internationally. These new forms of protest demonstrate that globalisation, despite its challenges, also offers new opportunities for political engagement and social change. Whereas traditional forms of political mobilisation can be limited to some extent by national borders, cosmopolitan protest allows marginalised groups to make their voices heard on a much larger scale.  


Si l'on se réfère aux préceptes marxistes, une révolution prolétarienne - qui implique souvent un certain degré de violence - est envisagée comme nécessaire pour renverser l'ordre capitaliste existant et établir une société plus équitable. Cependant, il y a une tension inhérente entre la poursuite d'un monde meilleur - caractérisé par plus d'égalité, de justice et de respect mutuel - et l'utilisation de la violence pour atteindre cet objectif. De nombreux penseurs et activistes marxistes et socialistes ont cherché des moyens non violents pour réaliser des changements radicaux de société. Par exemple, le concept de "révolution culturelle" implique une transformation profonde des valeurs et des attitudes de la société, qui peut potentiellement se faire sans violence physique. Dans le même temps, il y a un besoin croissant de repenser les stratégies d'action et d'activisme. Les mouvements de contestation contemporains sont de plus en plus centrés sur l'action locale et de base, travaillant à construire des alternatives au sein des structures existantes plutôt qu'à renverser ces structures par la violence. Ces mouvements cherchent souvent à remettre en question et à perturber l'ordre social dominant à travers des formes d'action directe, de désobéissance civile, de plaidoyer et de résistance culturelle. Ils mettent également l'accent sur la création de nouvelles formes de communauté et d'organisation sociale, qui sont plus inclusives, égalitaires et durables. Alors que la question de la violence continue d'être un sujet de débat et de controverse au sein des mouvements contestataires, il existe également un large éventail de stratégies et d'approches non violentes disponibles pour ceux qui cherchent à transformer la société de manière plus égalitaire.
Faced with the global and transnational issues of our time, traditional forms of protest can appear insufficient or outdated. These forms of protest, generally based on corporatist or sectoral demands, are designed to operate within the borders of a nation state. They often focus on issues specific to a group of individuals (such as a particular professional class) and seek to put pressure on the government of their country to bring about political or social change. However, in the face of challenges such as climate change, global poverty, global economic inequality and other transnational issues, these forms of protest can seem limited. These challenges require coordinated action on an international scale and cannot be fully addressed by actions at national level alone. This is why we are seeing the emergence of new forms of protest that seek to transcend national borders and mobilise around global causes. These cosmopolitan protest movements, as Ulrich Beck has called them, seek to influence decisions and policies at a level beyond the national, often involving non-state actors such as international organisations, NGOs and multinational companies. Through this approach, they hope to be able to deal more effectively with the global challenges of our time.


L'ouvrage de Benasayag met en lumière une évolution importante dans la nature de la contestation sociale. Selon lui, nous assistons à un glissement du syndicalisme traditionnel - qui se concentre généralement sur la défense des intérêts spécifiques d'un groupe particulier de travailleurs - vers une forme plus large de revendication sociétale. Dans ce nouveau paradigme de lutte sociale, les militants s'efforcent de remettre en question et de transformer les structures et les idéologies dominantes de la société dans son ensemble, plutôt que de se concentrer uniquement sur des questions plus étroites liées au travail et à l'emploi. Cela signifie qu'ils peuvent potentiellement avoir un impact plus large et plus profond, car ils cherchent à changer non seulement les politiques et les pratiques spécifiques, mais aussi les schémas de pensée et les attitudes des individus. Cela a également des implications importantes pour la manière dont ces mouvements s'organisent et agissent. Au lieu de se baser principalement sur des structures institutionnelles comme les syndicats, ils peuvent adopter des formes plus flexibles et décentralisées d'organisation, et utiliser une variété de tactiques, y compris l'action directe, la désobéissance civile, la sensibilisation et l'éducation du public, et la création d'alternatives concrètes aux systèmes existants. Dans ce contexte, le concept de "contre-pouvoir" de Benasayag est particulièrement pertinent. Au lieu de chercher à prendre le contrôle du pouvoir existant, les mouvements de contestation visent à créer un nouveau type de pouvoir - un pouvoir qui émane de la base et qui est enraciné dans la participation active et l'autonomie des individus et des communautés. Cela peut potentiellement offrir une manière plus démocratique et égalitaire de transformer la société.
New generations have adopted new methods of social and political mobilisation, often in response to pressing global issues that threaten their future, such as climate change or rising inequality. Many young people are increasingly involved in activist and protest movements that go beyond national borders. For example, the "Fridays for Future" movement initiated by Greta Thunberg has mobilised thousands of young people around the world to demand action on climate change. In addition, young people are increasingly using digital media and social networks to organise themselves and make their voices heard. These tools enable them to quickly mobilise large numbers of people, share information and raise public awareness of their causes. These new forms of action are transforming the modalities of protest and dissent, and could have a profound impact on the way political and social decisions are made in the future.


==Les Nouveaux Mouvements Civiques : Dynamiques et Impacts de la Contestation Moderne==
Modes of action for social and political protest have evolved, and several social groups play an important role in this renewal.
Ulrich Beck, sociologue allemand influent, est surtout connu pour ses travaux sur la "société du risque". Dans "Pouvoir et contre-pouvoir à l'heure de la mondialisation", il s'intéresse à l'évolution du pouvoir à l'ère de la mondialisation. Beck y développe une analyse de la transformation du pouvoir politique à l'échelle mondiale. Il souligne l'augmentation du pouvoir des multinationales et des acteurs non étatiques, en même temps que le déclin relatif du pouvoir des États-nations. Il observe également le développement de ce qu'il appelle le "contre-pouvoir mondial", qui regroupe des mouvements sociaux, des ONG, des mouvements de protestation et d'autres formes d'activisme qui cherchent à contester et à réformer le système mondial actuel. Selon Beck, ces mouvements constituent une forme de démocratie cosmopolite qui s'oppose à l'autoritarisme et à l'injustice à l'échelle mondiale. Enfin, Beck argue que la globalisation a créé un nouveau type de risques - des risques qui sont fondamentalement incalculables et imprévisibles, et qui peuvent avoir des conséquences dévastatrices à l'échelle mondiale. Il propose donc une nouvelle forme de politique, qu'il appelle la "politique de gestion des risques", qui se concentre sur la prévention, la minimisation et la gestion de ces risques globaux. "Pouvoir et contre-pouvoir à l'heure de la mondialisation" offre une analyse approfondie et provocante des défis et des possibilités de la politique à l'ère de la mondialisation. Il suggère que malgré les défis considérables auxquels nous sommes confrontés, il existe aussi des opportunités pour un nouvel engagement politique et un nouveau type de démocratie qui pourraient être à la hauteur de ces défis.  


Dans "Pouvoir et contre-pouvoir à l'heure de la mondialisation", Ulrich Beck propose le concept du "cosmopolitisme méthodologique" comme nouvel outil pour comprendre et analyser les phénomènes sociaux dans une société de plus en plus globalisée. Le cosmopolitisme méthodologique est une approche qui nous invite à dépasser le cadre national lors de l'analyse des phénomènes sociaux, politiques ou économiques. Au lieu de se focaliser uniquement sur les frontières nationales et les différences culturelles, cette approche incite à prendre en compte les interactions, les interdépendances et les échanges qui ont lieu à l'échelle mondiale. En d'autres termes, le cosmopolitisme méthodologique cherche à révéler la manière dont les processus mondiaux façonnent les réalités locales et vice versa. Selon Beck, l'ère de la mondialisation nous pousse à repenser les formes traditionnelles de la contestation sociale. Les mouvements sociaux ne sont plus seulement nationaux, mais aussi transnationaux, et les questions qu'ils abordent sont souvent d'envergure mondiale, comme le changement climatique, l'inégalité économique, ou les droits de l'homme. De cette manière, Beck suggère que les formes traditionnelles de lutte sociale et politique doivent être revisitées à l'aune de ce nouveau paradigme. Les nouvelles formes de contestation doivent se construire à une échelle qui dépasse les frontières nationales, car c'est à cette échelle que se posent désormais les problèmes majeurs de notre temps.
* Young people: As mentioned above, young people are often at the forefront of protest movements, particularly on issues such as climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice. They use digital platforms to mobilise and coordinate, and are often willing to mobilise outside the traditional structures of politics.
* Active women: Women have played a leading role in many recent protest movements, such as the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, or the women's marches to defend women's rights. More and more women are also taking up leadership positions in social and political movements.
* The middle class: The middle class can be an important driver of social and political change, especially when faced with economic pressures or diminishing prospects. For example, in many countries, the middle class has been at the forefront of protests against economic inequality and social injustice.
* Those with a high level of cultural capital: People with a high level of cultural capital - i.e. a thorough knowledge of the arts, literature, music, history, etc. - can play a crucial role in mobilising people to take action. - can play a crucial role in social mobilisation. They can use their influence to raise awareness of important issues, mobilise others, and challenge conventional wisdom.


Dans une société mondialisée comme celle que nous connaissons aujourd'hui, les différences culturelles, ethniques et nationales se côtoient et se mélangent d'une manière inédite, créant ainsi une sorte de cosmopolitisme global. Cela est largement facilité par les avancées technologiques, notamment dans les domaines de l'information et de la communication, qui permettent une diffusion et un échange d'informations rapide et sans frontières. Ce phénomène est souvent associé à la mondialisation et à la révolution numérique. Les personnes, les informations et les biens peuvent traverser les frontières avec une facilité sans précédent. Cela a conduit à une plus grande interconnexion et interdépendance entre les personnes, les cultures et les économies à travers le monde. Toutefois, bien que le cosmopolitisme puisse être vu comme un signe positif d'ouverture et d'interconnexion globale, il soulève également des défis importants. Parmi ceux-ci, la gestion de la diversité culturelle, les inégalités croissantes, la protection des droits de l'homme à une échelle mondiale, ou encore la préservation de l'environnement. Le concept de "cosmopolitisme méthodologique" proposé par Ulrich Beck vise précisément à prendre en compte ces défis, en proposant un nouvel outil pour comprendre et analyser les phénomènes sociaux à l'ère de la mondialisation. En adoptant cette approche, nous pourrions mieux appréhender la complexité et l'interdépendance des problèmes mondiaux, et ainsi trouver des solutions plus efficaces et équitables.
These diverse social groups contribute to the richness and diversity of contemporary forms of protest, which can reinforce their impact and relevance in an increasingly diverse and globalised society.


Ulrich Beck soutient que nous sommes entrés dans une ère de "cosmopolitisme" où la société mondialisée transforme radicalement nos façons de penser et d'interagir. Selon lui, ce processus de mondialisation conduit à la "dépolitisation" de l'État-nation, ce qui signifie que les questions politiques dépassent désormais le cadre national et sont devenues globales. Cela conduit à une "infrapolitisation" de la société, où les questions de politique et de gouvernance sont décidées à un niveau global, parfois même transnational. Dans ce contexte, l'État-nation n'est plus le seul acteur politique majeur. D'autres acteurs, tels que les organisations internationales, les entreprises multinationales, les ONG, et même les individus, jouent un rôle de plus en plus important sur la scène mondiale. Cela conduit à une société mondiale cosmopolite, où les différences culturelles sont intégrées et où nous prenons conscience que nous faisons tous partie d'un seul et même monde. Cette nouvelle réalité pose également de nouveaux défis. Par exemple, comment assurer une représentation équitable de tous les acteurs dans la prise de décision à l'échelle mondiale ? Comment protéger les droits des individus et des communautés face à la puissance des entreprises multinationales et des États-nations ? Comment gérer les conflits culturels et politiques dans une société de plus en plus diversifiée et interconnectée ? Beck nous invite à réfléchir à ces questions et à chercher de nouvelles façons de mener la lutte sociale dans le contexte du cosmopolitisme mondial.  
In today's society, community involvement has evolved considerably. It is no longer necessarily a question of aligning oneself with a defined ideology or political programme, but rather of choosing a specific cause that resonates with our personal values and convictions. This dynamic reflects a wider change in the way people interact with politics and society. People see themselves less and less as passive members of a political, social or ideological group, and more and more as autonomous actors capable of making informed choices about the issues that affect them most. In this context, associations play a key role in providing a space where people can express their individuality while working collectively towards common goals. Associations enable people to get involved in specific causes - be it the environment, social justice, education, health or other issues - and to work actively to resolve them. For example, someone who cares deeply about the environment might choose to get involved in an environmental association. They can help organise events, lobby policy-makers, raise public awareness of the cause, and make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change. This form of community involvement reflects a profound change in the way people engage with politics and society. It reflects a move towards more individual, autonomous engagement focused on specific causes, rather than on defined ideologies or political agendas.
Selon Ulrich Beck et d'autres théoriciens de la mondialisation, le concept traditionnel d'État-nation est remis en question dans un monde de plus en plus interconnecté. L'État-nation, tel que nous le connaissons, a été formé dans le contexte d'un système international dans lequel chaque État avait le contrôle souverain de son territoire et la capacité d'agir indépendamment sur la scène internationale. Cependant, la mondialisation a bouleversé cette configuration. Avec l'expansion du commerce mondial, des communications instantanées, des flux de capitaux transnationaux et des migrations internationales, de nombreux défis et problèmes ont dépassé les frontières nationales et nécessitent des solutions internationales. Les problèmes comme le changement climatique, la pauvreté mondiale, les pandémies, le terrorisme international, et la cybercriminalité sont des exemples de ces défis qui ne peuvent être résolus par un seul État agissant seul. Dans ce contexte, l'autorité et le pouvoir de l'État-nation à réguler ces problèmes sont remis en question. D'où l'idée de la "dépolitisation" de l'État-nation. Ce n'est pas que les États-nations sont devenus insignifiants, mais plutôt que leur rôle et leur fonction ont changé. Ils sont désormais engagés dans une série complexe d'interactions avec d'autres acteurs, y compris des acteurs non étatiques, dans le cadre de la gouvernance globale.


L'interdépendance grandissante des nations et le développement de la mondialisation ont donné lieu à une série de défis d'ampleur mondiale qui transcendent les frontières nationales. Ces défis cosmopolitiques sont des enjeux qui nécessitent une action collective à l'échelle globale. En voici quelques exemples :
The democratisation of access to information and the rise of social media have radically transformed the public arena and the ways in which social mobilisation takes place. We are witnessing the emergence of a form of direct democracy, where instant communication and the possibility of decentralised collective action are more accessible than ever. Action forums have been revitalised, enabling groups of citizens to mobilise rapidly around issues that affect them directly. Social media, in particular, have a crucial role to play in this process. They provide a platform for disseminating information, sharing views and organising collective action on a scale and with a speed that would have been unimaginable a few decades ago. This immediacy also has consequences for the way in which mobilisations are perceived and reported. Events are relayed in real time, often by the participants themselves, which can have a significant impact on the visibility of the cause and on the pressure exerted on political decision-makers. However, it should be noted that this direct democracy and immediacy also present challenges. It is more difficult to maintain consistency and continuity in discourse and action, and it is also easier to spread incorrect or misleading information. Moreover, the immediacy and speed of information dissemination can also lead to a form of information overload, making it difficult for the public to engage meaningfully with all the issues before them.


* La pauvreté : Malgré les progrès accomplis au cours des dernières décennies, la pauvreté reste un problème mondial majeur. Les inégalités de revenus s'accentuent et la pauvreté extrême persiste dans de nombreux pays. Lutter contre la pauvreté nécessite des efforts coordonnés pour stimuler le développement économique, améliorer l'accès à l'éducation et garantir les droits humains.
We are currently witnessing an upsurge in community activism in many industrialised countries. This form of activism is often based on pragmatic action and a desire to participate quickly and effectively in social debates, without being crushed by the weight of traditional mobilisation structures. Associations enable individuals to become actively involved in causes that are close to their hearts. Unlike traditional political structures, which can be perceived as being far removed from the day-to-day concerns of citizens, associations are often able to respond to issues that are closer to the reality experienced by their members. What's more, associative activism offers great flexibility. It allows individuals to choose causes that are in line with their convictions and day-to-day concerns. This ability to choose is important in an age marked by a multitude of social and environmental issues. Choosing to focus on a specific cause can give meaning to one's commitment and make one feel that one is having a concrete impact. This rise in community activism is also accompanied by challenges, particularly in terms of the coordination and sustainability of the actions taken. What's more, not all associations have the same resources or the same ability to make themselves heard, which can create inequalities in the representation of different issues.  
* Les risques : De nombreux risques, tels que les crises financières, les pandémies, le terrorisme et la cybercriminalité, sont de nature globale. Gérer ces risques nécessite une coopération internationale étroite.
* Les inégalités : Malgré la croissance économique mondiale, les inégalités persistent et, dans certains cas, s'aggravent. Les inégalités en matière de richesse, d'éducation, de santé et de chances de réussite sont préoccupantes et nécessitent une attention et une action mondiales.
* Le réchauffement climatique : Le changement climatique est sans doute le défi cosmopolitique le plus urgent de notre époque. Les impacts du changement climatique, tels que l'élévation du niveau de la mer, les phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes et la perte de biodiversité, sont ressentis dans le monde entier. Faire face au changement climatique nécessite une action collective à l'échelle mondiale pour réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et s'adapter aux impacts du changement climatique.


Dans ce contexte, le rôle du politique ne disparaît pas, mais il évolue. Les gouvernements, les organisations internationales, les entreprises, les ONG et les citoyens sont tous appelés à jouer un rôle dans la gestion de ces défis mondiaux.
We are also witnessing the emergence of counter-expertise, often carried out by citizens' groups, associations, non-governmental organisations or independent academics. These players are striving to produce alternative knowledge and propose intermediate solutions to societal problems, in response to proposals made by the powers that be or by lobbies. These counter-experts play a crucial role in public debate. They often bring new and different perspectives to bear on complex issues, they question established knowledge, and they highlight the vested interests that can influence certain political or economic decisions. This form of activism, based on expertise and information, helps to rebalance the balance of power by giving greater weight to voices that would otherwise be marginalised. It also acts as a counterweight to the influence of lobbies, which often have considerable resources at their disposal to assert their interests. Counter-expertise also poses challenges, particularly in terms of credibility and legitimacy. To be effective, it must be based on rigorous and transparent methods, and it must be able to withstand criticism. In addition, as with any form of activism, it must find ways of making itself heard in an often crowded public arena.


L'émergence de la société cosmopolite et des défis mondiaux soulève des questions complexes et sans précédent qui nécessitent une nouvelle forme de pensée et d'action. Les paradigmes traditionnels fondés sur la souveraineté nationale et l'État-nation sont remis en question, car ils ne sont plus suffisants pour résoudre les problèmes actuels. Ces défis globaux transcendent les frontières nationales et exigent une coopération internationale à une échelle sans précédent. Ils demandent une refonte de notre conception de la gouvernance, nécessitant des approches multilatérales et multisectorielles, impliquant une multitude d'acteurs, allant des gouvernements aux organisations internationales, en passant par les entreprises, les ONG, les groupes de la société civile et les citoyens ordinaires. Par ailleurs, la complexité de ces défis exige une approche interdisciplinaire, où différentes branches du savoir - des sciences sociales aux sciences naturelles, en passant par les sciences humaines - doivent collaborer pour proposer des solutions viables. Enfin, il est nécessaire d'élaborer de nouvelles structures et institutions capables de gérer ces problèmes à l'échelle mondiale. La question du pouvoir et de l'autorité dans cette société cosmopolite devient complexe, car elle doit être partagée et négociée entre de nombreux acteurs à différents niveaux - local, national, régional et mondial. Nous sommes face à une période de changements profonds et de réinvention. Le défi consiste à créer de nouvelles formes de coopération, de gouvernance et de pouvoir adaptées à cette réalité mondialisée et interconnectée.
New forms of activism and social action have evolved and diversified considerably. These new methods are often aimed at drawing the attention of the public and the media to specific issues and raising wider awareness. They also seek to highlight the limitations and inadequacies of existing institutional arrangements. These unconventional actions can take a number of forms, from spectacular demonstrations (sometimes known as "fist actions") to direct action, hacktivism or "name and shame" (which consists of making public the reprehensible actions of companies or governments). These new forms of activism often seek to be innovative and creative in order to maximise their impact and visibility. They also rely on new technologies and social media to spread their messages and mobilise the public.
Ulrich Beck propose une réinterprétation du concept de l'État et du politique à l'ère de la mondialisation. Selon lui, l'État et le politique doivent être repensés pour prendre en compte les défis globaux auxquels notre société fait face. En ce sens, les nouveaux combats ne se limitent plus à la lutte des classes, mais portent également sur des questions transnationales et globales comme l'environnement, la justice sociale et économique, les droits de l'homme, etc. Ces combats se manifestent de diverses manières, allant des boycotts de produits aux politiques écologiques, en passant par le plaidoyer pour l'égalité des droits. Dans cette perspective, le conflit n'a pas disparu, mais il a été transformé. Il s'est déplacé de la scène nationale à la scène internationale, et a pris de nouvelles formes, dépassant les anciennes méthodes de mobilisation politique. Il s'agit là d'un changement majeur, car cela signifie que la lutte pour le changement ne se limite plus à l'intérieur des frontières d'un État, mais s'étend à l'ensemble de la société mondiale. Cela implique une nouvelle manière de penser l'engagement politique et la lutte pour le changement social, qui dépasse les frontières nationales et repose sur une solidarité et une action collective globales. Ce changement de paradigme pose des défis importants en matière de coordination, de coopération et de gestion des conflits à l'échelle mondiale. Il demande également une nouvelle compréhension des structures de pouvoir et de gouvernance adaptées à cette réalité mondialisée. Il faut comprendre le fait que cette position philosophique cosmopolitique va pouvoir prendre un pas considérable, car toutes les barrières sont levées. Les enjeux de demain ne sont pas de l’ordre de la souveraineté étatique.
La contestation cosmopolitique, dans le contexte de la mondialisation, a engendré de nouvelles formes de militantisme qui dépassent les frontières nationales. De plus en plus, les mouvements sociaux ne sont plus limités à un seul pays, mais sont le fait d'une coalition d'acteurs dispersés à travers le monde, unissant leurs efforts pour faire face à des défis globaux. Un exemple notable de ce nouveau militantisme est l'émergence de ce qu'on pourrait appeler les "mouvements des sans". Ces groupes, qui peuvent inclure des personnes sans-abri, sans emploi, sans papiers, etc., sont souvent marginalisés au sein de leurs propres sociétés. Toutefois, dans le cadre de la contestation cosmopolitique, ces groupes se mobilisent et forment des alliances pour défendre leurs droits et intérêts. Ces "sans" constituent ce qu'on appelle souvent des "minorités actives" dans les mouvements de contestation. Malgré leur statut marginal, ces groupes peuvent avoir un impact significatif sur les politiques et les pratiques, à la fois au niveau national et international. Ces nouvelles formes de contestation démontrent que la mondialisation, malgré ses défis, offre également de nouvelles opportunités pour l'engagement politique et le changement social. Alors que les formes traditionnelles de mobilisation politique peuvent être limitées dans une certaine mesure par les frontières nationales, la contestation cosmopolitique permet aux groupes marginalisés de se faire entendre à une échelle beaucoup plus grande.
Face aux enjeux globaux et transnationaux de notre époque, les formes traditionnelles de protestation peuvent apparaître insuffisantes ou dépassées. Ces formes de contestation, généralement basées sur des revendications corporatistes ou sectorielles, sont conçues pour opérer au sein des frontières d'un État-nation. Elles se concentrent souvent sur des problématiques spécifiques à un groupe d'individus (comme une classe professionnelle particulière) et cherchent à exercer une pression sur le gouvernement de leur pays pour obtenir des changements politiques ou sociaux. Toutefois, face à des défis tels que le changement climatique, la pauvreté globale, les inégalités économiques mondiales et autres problématiques transnationales, ces formes de protestation peuvent sembler limitées. Ces défis nécessitent une action coordonnée à l'échelle internationale et ne peuvent être pleinement adressés par des actions menées uniquement au niveau national. C'est pourquoi on assiste à l'émergence de nouvelles formes de contestation qui cherchent à transcender les frontières nationales et à mobiliser autour de causes globales. Ces mouvements de contestation cosmopolitique, comme les a nommés Ulrich Beck, cherchent à influencer les décisions et les politiques à un niveau qui dépasse le cadre national, impliquant souvent des acteurs non étatiques comme des organisations internationales, des ONG, ou des entreprises multinationales. Par cette approche, ils espèrent pouvoir faire face plus efficacement aux défis mondiaux de notre époque.
Les nouvelles générations ont adopté de nouvelles méthodes de mobilisation sociale et politique, souvent en réaction à des problématiques globales urgentes qui menacent leur avenir, comme le changement climatique ou la montée des inégalités. De nombreux jeunes sont de plus en plus engagés dans des mouvements activistes et de protestation qui vont au-delà des frontières nationales. Par exemple, le mouvement des "Fridays for Future" initié par Greta Thunberg a mobilisé des milliers de jeunes à travers le monde pour exiger des actions contre le changement climatique. De plus, les jeunes utilisent de plus en plus des moyens numériques et des réseaux sociaux pour s'organiser et faire entendre leur voix. Ces outils leur permettent de mobiliser rapidement un grand nombre de personnes, de partager des informations et de sensibiliser le public à leurs causes. Ces nouvelles formes d'action sont en train de transformer les modalités de la contestation et de la protestation, et elles pourraient avoir un impact profond sur la façon dont les décisions politiques et sociales sont prises à l'avenir.  


Les modes d'action en matière de contestation sociale et politique ont évolué, et plusieurs groupes sociaux jouent un rôle important dans ce renouvellement.
The rise of the Internet has radically transformed the ways in which people engage in social protest. It has made previously unknown or ignored issues visible, and has given everyone the opportunity to make their voices heard, share information and mobilise public opinion on an unprecedented scale. The Internet offers tools for creating, organising and disseminating information or protest campaigns on a global scale, almost in real time. This gives activists a much greater capacity for action and influence, and enables them to bypass traditional media and institutional structures, which are often perceived as being too slow, too bureaucratic or too aligned with the powers that be. This democratisation of information and activism has led to the emergence of an international counter-power, fuelled by public opinion and capable of challenging governments and big business. Social media platforms have become major forums for public debate, mobilisation and action. This movement has also helped to marginalise trade unions and other traditional forms of collective representation, which may find it difficult to adapt to these new modes of action and new communication tools. This raises important questions about the evolution of forms of social struggle in the digital age and the role of trade unions and other traditional players in this new landscape.


* Les jeunes : Comme mentionné précédemment, les jeunes sont souvent à l'avant-garde des mouvements de contestation, notamment sur des questions comme le changement climatique, les droits des LGBTQ+, et la justice sociale. Ils utilisent des plateformes numériques pour se mobiliser et se coordonner, et ils sont souvent prêts à se mobiliser en dehors des structures traditionnelles de la politique.
In this new environment, social mobilisation has become much more reactive and rapid. Thanks to the internet and social networks, it is now possible to launch a mobilisation campaign in a matter of hours, or even minutes, and reach a global audience.
* Les femmes actives : Les femmes ont joué un rôle de premier plan dans de nombreux mouvements de protestation récents, comme le mouvement #MeToo contre le harcèlement sexuel, ou les marches des femmes pour défendre les droits des femmes. De plus en plus de femmes occupent également des postes de direction au sein de mouvements sociaux et politiques.
* La classe moyenne : La classe moyenne peut être un moteur important de changement social et politique, surtout lorsqu'elle est confrontée à des pressions économiques ou à une diminution de ses perspectives d'avenir. Par exemple, dans de nombreux pays, la classe moyenne a été à l'avant-garde des protestations contre l'inégalité économique et l'injustice sociale.
* Ceux ayant un fort capital culturel : Les personnes ayant un fort capital culturel - c'est-à-dire une connaissance approfondie des arts, de la littérature, de la musique, de l'histoire, etc. - peuvent jouer un rôle crucial dans la mobilisation sociale. Ils peuvent utiliser leur influence pour sensibiliser à des questions importantes, mobiliser d'autres personnes, et défier les idées reçues.


Ces divers groupes sociaux contribuent à la richesse et à la diversité des modes de contestation contemporaine, ce qui peut renforcer leur impact et leur pertinence dans une société de plus en plus diverse et mondialisée.
These mobilisations are characterised by their ability to be organised horizontally, without recourse to institutional or hierarchical structures. Individuals can mobilise around an issue or cause that affects them directly, and can act autonomously, without waiting for the endorsement or support of a political party, trade union or other organisation. This dynamic creates a form of direct democracy, in which each individual can express his or her opinion and act to defend it. However, it can also pose problems in terms of coordination, sustainability and representativeness. These mobilisations are often reactive and short-lived, which can make it difficult to bring about lasting change. In addition, the fact that each individual can choose his or her own cause can lead to fragmentation of collective action and a concentration of attention on certain issues to the detriment of others. Finally, the absence of formal structures can pose problems of representativeness and legitimacy, particularly in terms of decision-making and defining demands.


Dans la société contemporaine, l'engagement associatif a beaucoup évolué. Il ne s'agit plus nécessairement de s'aligner sur une idéologie ou un programme politique défini, mais plutôt de choisir une cause spécifique qui résonne avec nos valeurs personnelles et nos convictions. Cette dynamique reflète un changement plus large dans la façon dont les individus interagissent avec la politique et la société. Les gens se voient de moins en moins comme des membres passifs d'un groupe politique, social ou idéologique, et de plus en plus comme des acteurs autonomes capables de faire des choix éclairés sur les questions qui les touchent le plus. Dans ce contexte, les associations jouent un rôle clé en fournissant un espace où les gens peuvent exprimer leur individualité tout en travaillant collectivement à des objectifs communs. Les associations permettent aux gens de s'engager dans des causes spécifiques - qu'il s'agisse de l'environnement, de la justice sociale, de l'éducation, de la santé ou d'autres questions - et de travailler activement à leur résolution. Par exemple, une personne qui se soucie profondément de l'environnement peut choisir de s'impliquer dans une association de défense de l'environnement. Elle peut aider à organiser des événements, à faire pression sur les décideurs politiques, à sensibiliser le public à la cause, et à contribuer de manière significative à la lutte contre le changement climatique. Ce mode d'engagement associatif reflète un changement profond dans la façon dont les individus s'engagent dans la politique et la société. Il témoigne d'un mouvement vers un engagement plus individuel, autonome et centré sur des causes spécifiques, plutôt que sur des idéologies ou des programmes politiques définis.
The phenomenon of mobilisation around the "without" - i.e. people who are deprived or marginalised - has grown enormously with the rise of social networks and the internet. It reflects a more emotional commitment, a form of humanitarianism that places compassion, solidarity and empathy at the heart of action. Movements such as "Sans-Papiers", "Sans-Abri" and "Sans-Terre" are examples of these mobilisations. These groups seek to draw attention to the social, economic and political injustices and inequalities of which they are victims. This "emotional humanitarianism" plays on people's feelings to mobilise them. Shocking or moving images and stories are widely disseminated to arouse indignation, compassion or empathy, and thus incite action. However, this approach can also be criticised. Some believe that emotional humanitarianism risks reducing complex problems to matters of sentiment, and obscuring the real political, economic or social issues at stake. What's more, this approach can sometimes lead to a form of selective compassion, where only certain causes or certain victims are taken into account.  
La démocratisation de l'accès à l'information et la montée des médias sociaux ont radicalement transformé l'espace public et les modalités de la mobilisation sociale. Nous assistons à une forme d'émergence de la démocratie directe, où la communication instantanée et la possibilité d'une action collective décentralisée sont plus accessibles que jamais. Les forums d'action ont été renouvelés, permettant à des groupes de citoyens de se mobiliser rapidement autour de questions qui les touchent directement. Les médias sociaux, en particulier, ont un rôle crucial à jouer dans ce processus. Ils offrent une plateforme pour diffuser des informations, partager des points de vue et organiser des actions collectives à une échelle et avec une vitesse qui auraient été inimaginables il y a quelques décennies. Cette instantanéité a également des conséquences sur la manière dont les mobilisations sont perçues et rapportées. Les événements sont relayés en temps réel, souvent par les participants eux-mêmes, ce qui peut avoir un impact significatif sur la visibilité de la cause et sur la pression exercée sur les décideurs politiques. Cependant, il faut noter que cette démocratie directe et cette instantanéité présentent aussi des défis. Il est plus difficile de maintenir une cohérence et une continuité dans le discours et l'action, et il est également plus facile de propager des informations incorrectes ou trompeuses. Par ailleurs, l'instantanéité et la vitesse de diffusion des informations peuvent également mener à une forme de surcharge d'information, rendant difficile pour le public de s'engager de manière significative avec toutes les questions qui se présentent à eux.
Nous assistons actuellement à une montée en puissance du militantisme associatif dans de nombreux pays industrialisés. Cette forme de militantisme repose souvent sur un pragmatisme de l'action et sur une volonté de participer de manière rapide et efficace à des débats de société, sans être écrasé par le poids des structures traditionnelles de mobilisation. Les associations permettent aux individus de s'impliquer activement dans des causes qui leur tiennent à cœur. Contrairement aux structures politiques traditionnelles, qui peuvent être perçues comme éloignées des préoccupations quotidiennes des citoyens, les associations sont souvent en mesure de répondre à des problématiques plus proches de la réalité vécue par leurs membres. De plus, le militantisme associatif offre une grande flexibilité. Il permet aux individus de choisir les causes qui sont en adéquation avec leurs convictions et leurs préoccupations quotidiennes. Cette capacité de sélection est importante dans une époque marquée par une multitude d'enjeux sociaux et environnementaux. Le choix de se concentrer sur une cause précise peut permettre de donner un sens à son engagement et de sentir qu'on a un impact concret. Cette montée du militantisme associatif s'accompagne également de défis, notamment en termes de coordination et de durabilité des actions menées. Par ailleurs, toutes les associations n'ont pas les mêmes ressources et la même capacité à se faire entendre, ce qui peut créer des inégalités dans la représentation des différents enjeux.
Nous assistons également à l'émergence d'une contre-expertise, souvent portée par des groupes de citoyens, des associations, des organisations non gouvernementales, ou encore des universitaires indépendants. Ces acteurs s'efforcent de produire des connaissances alternatives et de proposer des solutions intermédiaires aux problématiques de société, en réponse aux propositions faites par les pouvoirs en place ou par les lobbies. Ces contre-experts jouent un rôle crucial dans le débat public. Ils apportent souvent des perspectives nouvelles et différentes sur des sujets complexes, ils questionnent les connaissances établies, et ils mettent en lumière les intérêts particuliers qui peuvent influencer certaines décisions politiques ou économiques. Cette forme de militantisme, fondée sur l'expertise et l'information, permet de rééquilibrer les rapports de force en donnant davantage de poids à des voix qui seraient autrement marginalisées. Elle représente également un contrepoids à l'influence des lobbies, qui disposent souvent de ressources considérables pour faire valoir leurs intérêts. La contre-expertise pose aussi des défis, notamment en termes de crédibilité et de légitimité. Pour être efficace, elle doit être fondée sur des méthodes rigoureuses et transparentes, et elle doit être capable de résister à la critique. De plus, comme pour toute forme de militantisme, elle doit trouver les moyens de se faire entendre dans un espace public souvent encombré.
Les nouvelles formes de militantisme et d'action sociale ont beaucoup évolué et se sont diversifiées. Ces nouvelles méthodes visent souvent à attirer l'attention du public et des médias sur des problématiques spécifiques et à provoquer une prise de conscience plus large. Elles cherchent également à mettre en évidence les limites et les insuffisances des dispositifs institutionnels existants. Ces actions non conventionnelles peuvent prendre plusieurs formes, allant des manifestations spectaculaires (parfois appelées "actions coup de poing") aux actions directes, en passant par le hacktivisme ou le "name and shame" (qui consiste à rendre publiques les actions répréhensibles d'entreprises ou de gouvernements). Ces nouvelles formes d'activisme cherchent souvent à faire preuve d'innovation et de créativité pour maximiser leur impact et leur visibilité. Elles s'appuient également sur les nouvelles technologies et les médias sociaux pour diffuser leurs messages et mobiliser le public.  
L'essor d'Internet a radicalement transformé les modes d'engagement et de contestation sociale. Il a permis de rendre visible des problématiques auparavant méconnues ou ignorées et a offert à chacun la possibilité de se faire entendre, de partager des informations et de mobiliser l'opinion publique à une échelle sans précédent. Internet offre des outils permettant de créer, organiser et diffuser des campagnes d'information ou de protestation à l'échelle mondiale, quasiment en temps réel. Cela donne aux activistes une capacité d'action et d'influence beaucoup plus grande, et leur permet de contourner les médias traditionnels et les structures institutionnelles, souvent perçues comme étant trop lentes, trop bureaucratiques ou trop alignées sur les pouvoirs en place. Cette démocratisation de l'information et de l'activisme a conduit à l'émergence d'un contre-pouvoir international, alimenté par l'opinion publique et capable de défier les gouvernements et les grandes entreprises. Les plateformes de médias sociaux sont devenues des espaces majeurs de débat public, de mobilisation et d'action. Ce mouvement a aussi contribué à marginaliser les syndicats et autres formes traditionnelles de représentation collective, qui peuvent avoir du mal à s'adapter à ces nouveaux modes d'action et à ces nouveaux outils de communication. Cela soulève des questions importantes sur l'évolution des formes de lutte sociale à l'ère numérique et sur le rôle des syndicats et des autres acteurs traditionnels dans ce nouveau paysage.


Dans ce nouvel environnement, les mobilisations sociales sont devenues beaucoup plus réactives et plus rapides. Grâce à internet et aux réseaux sociaux, il est désormais possible de lancer une campagne de mobilisation en quelques heures, voire en quelques minutes, et de toucher un public mondial.
The new protest movements are made up of different groups, each bringing its own perspective and experience.


Ces mobilisations se caractérisent par leur capacité à s'organiser de manière horizontale, sans recours à des structures institutionnelles ou hiérarchiques. Les individus peuvent se mobiliser autour d'un sujet ou d'une cause qui les touche directement, et peuvent agir de manière autonome, sans attendre l'aval ou le soutien d'un parti politique, d'un syndicat ou d'une autre organisation. Cette dynamique crée une forme de démocratie directe, dans laquelle chaque individu peut exprimer son opinion et agir pour la faire valoir. Cependant, elle peut aussi poser des problèmes en termes de coordination, de durabilité et de représentativité. En effet, ces mobilisations sont souvent réactives et éphémères, ce qui peut rendre difficile la mise en place de changements durables. De plus, le fait que chaque individu puisse choisir sa propre cause peut mener à une fragmentation de l'action collective et à une concentration de l'attention sur certains sujets au détriment d'autres. Enfin, l'absence de structures formelles peut poser des problèmes de représentativité et de légitimité, notamment en ce qui concerne la prise de décision et la définition des revendications.
* People in situations of suffering: This group includes people directly affected by the problems the movement is fighting against. They may, for example, be people living in poverty, or victims of discrimination or social injustice. These individuals may be the most passionate and determined in the movement, because they are fighting for their own well-being and that of their loved ones.
* Activists in "sans" associations: These individuals are often highly politicised and involved in the movement. They may be volunteers, long-term activists or people who have joined the movement because of their personal convictions. They play a crucial role in organising and coordinating the movement, and are often behind awareness-raising campaigns, demonstrations and other actions.
* Resource persons: These are individuals who bring specific skills, knowledge or resources to the movement. They may be lawyers, researchers, media professionals, celebrities or anyone whose contribution can strengthen the movement. These people often help to develop strategies, establish links with other organisations or gain visibility in the media.


Le phénomène de la mobilisation autour des "sans" - c'est-à-dire des personnes démunies ou marginalisées - a pris une grande ampleur avec l'essor des réseaux sociaux et d'internet. Cela correspond à un engagement plus émotionnel, une forme d'humanitarisme qui place la compassion, la solidarité et l'empathie au cœur de l'action. Des mouvements comme ceux des "Sans-Papiers", "Sans-Abri" ou "Sans-Terre" sont des exemples de ces mobilisations. Ces groupes cherchent à attirer l'attention sur les injustices et les inégalités sociales, économiques ou politiques dont ils sont victimes. Cet "humanitarisme émotionnel" joue sur les sentiments des individus pour les mobiliser. Les images et les récits choquants ou émouvants sont largement diffusés pour susciter de l'indignation, de la compassion ou de l'empathie, et ainsi inciter à l'action. Cependant, cette approche peut également être critiquée. Certains estiment que l'humanitarisme émotionnel risque de réduire des problèmes complexes à des questions de sentiments, et d'occulter les véritables enjeux politiques, économiques ou sociaux qui sont en jeu. De plus, cette approche peut parfois conduire à une forme de compassion sélective, où seules certaines causes ou certaines victimes sont prises en compte.
These three groups are all essential to the success of a protest movement. Together, they form a powerful coalition that can challenge the status quo and work for meaningful social change.
Les nouveaux mouvements contestataires sont composés de différents groupes qui apportent chacun leur propre perspective et expérience.


* Les personnes en situation de souffrance : Ce groupe comprend les personnes directement touchées par les problèmes contre lesquels le mouvement se bat. Il peut s'agir, par exemple, de personnes vivant dans la pauvreté, de victimes de discrimination ou d'injustices sociales. Ces individus peuvent être les plus passionnés et déterminés du mouvement, car ils luttent pour leur propre bien-être et celui de leurs proches.
One notable example of these new protest movements is alterglobalism. This movement is characterised by its resistance to neo-liberal economic globalisation and its advocacy of a fairer and more sustainable model of global development. Altermondialists call for a world where social, environmental and justice concerns are at the heart of political and economic decision-making.
* Les militants des associations de "sans" : Ces individus sont souvent hautement politisés et impliqués dans le mouvement. Ils peuvent être des bénévoles, des militants de longue date, ou des personnes qui ont rejoint le mouvement en raison de leurs convictions personnelles. Ils jouent un rôle crucial dans l'organisation et la coordination du mouvement, et sont souvent à l'origine des campagnes de sensibilisation, des manifestations et d'autres actions.
* Les "personnes-ressources" : Il s'agit d'individus qui apportent des compétences, des connaissances ou des ressources spécifiques au mouvement. Ils peuvent être des avocats, des chercheurs, des professionnels des médias, des célébrités ou toute personne dont la contribution peut renforcer le mouvement. Ces personnes aident souvent à élaborer des stratégies, à établir des liens avec d'autres organisations ou à gagner en visibilité dans les médias.


Ces trois groupes sont tous essentiels pour le succès d'un mouvement contestataire. Ensemble, ils forment une coalition puissante qui peut défier le statu quo et travailler pour un changement social significatif.
The anti-globalisation struggle has distinguished itself by its ability to publicise itself and use the media to promote its causes. Here are some of the strategies used by this movement to maximise its visibility:


L'altermondialisme est un exemple notable de ces nouveaux mouvements contestataires. Ce mouvement se caractérise par sa résistance à la mondialisation économique néolibérale et par son plaidoyer pour un modèle de développement mondial plus équitable et plus durable. Les altermondialistes revendiquent un monde où les préoccupations sociales, environnementales et de justice sont au cœur de la prise de décision politique et économique.
* Use of social networks and the internet: Anti-globalisation activists actively use digital media to share information, organise events and mobilise supporters. The Internet has made it easier to organise coordinated actions on a global scale and has enabled the movement's messages to be disseminated more widely.
* Direct action and spectacular demonstrations: anti-globalisation activists are known for their mass demonstrations, sit-ins, blockades and other forms of direct action. These events often attract media attention, which helps to raise public awareness of their causes.
* Cooperation with journalists and the media: The alter-globalisation movement maintains relations with the media to spread its message. Activists can organise press conferences, provide information to journalists, or even create their own media to control their narrative.
* Lobbying and reporting: The movement uses data and research to support its demands. By producing detailed reports and holding conferences, this information can be presented more officially and attract the attention of political decision-makers.


La lutte altermondialiste s'est distinguée par sa capacité à se publiciser et à utiliser les médias pour promouvoir ses causes. Voici quelques stratégies utilisées par ce mouvement pour maximiser sa visibilité :
The anti-globalisation movement's ability to make effective use of the media and to publicise itself has played a crucial role in its growth and influence.


* L''''utilisation des réseaux sociaux et d'internet''' : Les altermondialistes utilisent activement les médias numériques pour partager des informations, organiser des événements et mobiliser des sympathisants. Internet a facilité l'organisation d'actions coordonnées à l'échelle mondiale et a permis une diffusion plus large des messages du mouvement.
Protest movements and social activism are often faced with this paradox. On the one hand, they need to attract the attention of the media and politicians in order to make their demands heard and achieve their objectives. On the other hand, they run the risk of being recuperated, co-opted or distorted by political institutions or other entities seeking to use their energy and mobilisation for their own ends.
* Les '''actions directes et les manifestations spectaculaire'''s : Les altermondialistes sont connus pour leurs manifestations de masse, leurs sit-ins, leurs blocages et autres formes d'action directe. Ces événements attirent souvent l'attention des médias, ce qui permet de sensibiliser le public à leurs causes.
* La '''coopération avec les journalistes et les médias''' : Le mouvement altermondialiste entretient des relations avec les médias pour diffuser son message. Les militants peuvent organiser des conférences de presse, fournir des informations aux journalistes, ou même créer leurs propres médias pour contrôler leur narration.
* Le '''travail de lobbying et la création de rapports''' : Le mouvement utilise des données et des recherches pour soutenir ses revendications. La production de rapports détaillés et la tenue de conférences permettent de présenter ces informations de manière plus officielle et d'attirer l'attention des décideurs politiques.


La capacité du mouvement altermondialiste à utiliser efficacement les médias et à se publiciser a joué un rôle crucial dans sa croissance et son influence.
There are several possible scenarios for political recuperation:


Les mouvements contestataires et d'activisme social sont souvent confrontés à ce paradoxe. D'un côté, ils ont besoin d'attirer l'attention des médias et des politiques pour faire entendre leurs revendications et atteindre leurs objectifs. D'un autre côté, ils risquent d'être récupérés, cooptés ou dénaturés par les institutions politiques ou d'autres entités qui cherchent à utiliser leur énergie et leur mobilisation à leurs propres fins.  
# Co-option: Political parties or governments may seek to incorporate the demands of a movement into their own programme or discourse, often watering down or modifying those demands to make them more acceptable to their electoral base.
# Neutralisation: The powers that be may try to neutralise a protest movement by absorbing it into institutional structures, offering its leaders positions or benefits that may dissuade them from continuing the struggle.
# Denaturing: The message and objectives of a movement can be distorted or misinterpreted, either intentionally by political opponents or unintentionally through misunderstanding or oversimplification.
# Instrumentalisation: A movement can be used as a tool by political actors who do not necessarily have a real interest in its demands, but who see in it an opportunity to gain support or discredit opponents.


Plusieurs scénarios de récupération politique sont possibles :
These risks underline the importance of protest movements maintaining their autonomy and integrity, clarifying their objectives and values, and remaining vigilant against attempts at political recuperation.


# '''Cooption''': Les partis politiques ou les gouvernements peuvent chercher à incorporer les revendications d'un mouvement dans leur propre programme ou discours, souvent en édulcorant ou en modifiant ces revendications pour les rendre plus acceptables pour leur base électorale.
The Internet plays a fundamental role in strengthening counter-power and promoting direct, participatory democracy. It facilitates access to and dissemination of information, enabling everyone to share their ideas and points of view, thereby reducing dependence on the traditional media. In addition, the Internet facilitates the rapid mobilisation of communities around specific issues, as illustrated by online petitions and activism on social networks. It also provides a platform for sharing expertise and knowledge, enabling the creation of counter-expertise capable of challenging institutional discourses. In addition, thanks to its ability to promote transparency and accountability, the Internet offers tools for monitoring institutions and holding them to account. Finally, by rapidly gathering citizen support, the Internet can influence the policies of governments, businesses and other institutions, bringing to the fore issues that are priorities for citizens and encouraging direct engagement in governance.
# '''Neutralisation''': Les pouvoirs en place peuvent tenter de neutraliser un mouvement contestataire en l'absorbant dans les structures institutionnelles, en offrant à ses leaders des postes ou des avantages qui peuvent les dissuader de poursuivre la lutte.
# '''Dénaturation''': Le message et les objectifs d'un mouvement peuvent être déformés ou mal interprétés, soit intentionnellement par des adversaires politiques, soit involontairement en raison de malentendus ou de simplifications excessives.
# '''Instrumentalisation''': Un mouvement peut être utilisé comme un outil par des acteurs politiques qui n'ont pas nécessairement d'intérêt réel pour ses revendications, mais qui voient en lui une opportunité de gagner du soutien ou de discréditer des adversaires.


Ces risques soulignent l'importance pour les mouvements contestataires de maintenir leur autonomie et leur intégrité, de clarifier leurs objectifs et leurs valeurs, et de rester vigilants face aux tentatives de récupération politique.
The Internet has the power to incite activism and bring about meaningful change in our institutions, by stimulating targeted conversation and action around issues that people consider to be priorities. It facilitates a rapid dynamic of exchange and information sharing, which can rapidly lead to collective awareness and coordinated action. This challenges traditional power structures, which are often slow to react or change, and strengthens society's ability to directly influence policies and institutional decisions. The rise of the Internet has given rise to an innovative form of direct democracy, characterised by its ability to produce effective results. By giving a voice to diverse online communities and fostering citizen engagement, this digital democracy is challenging traditional political parties, corporations and large international firms. The latter must now take account of these new voices and reconsider their priorities in the light of the concerns and demands expressed by these online communities. The power of this renewed form of democracy is such that it can influence decisions and policies on a massive scale, redefining the traditional political and economic landscape.


Internet joue un rôle fondamental dans le renforcement du contre-pouvoir et la promotion d'une démocratie directe et participative. Il facilite l'accès et la diffusion de l'information, permettant à chacun de partager ses idées et points de vue, réduisant ainsi la dépendance envers les médias traditionnels. En outre, Internet favorise la mobilisation rapide des communautés autour de questions spécifiques, comme l'illustrent les pétitions en ligne et l'activisme sur les réseaux sociaux. Il offre également une plateforme pour le partage d'expertise et de connaissances, permettant la création de contre-expertises capables de défier les discours institutionnels. De plus, grâce à sa capacité à promouvoir la transparence et la responsabilité, Internet offre des outils pour surveiller les institutions et demander des comptes. Enfin, en rassemblant rapidement le soutien des citoyens, Internet peut influencer les politiques des gouvernements, des entreprises et d'autres institutions, mettant ainsi en avant des questions qui sont prioritaires pour les citoyens et favorisant un engagement direct dans la gouvernance.
The Internet has greatly amplified the power to publicise problems and issues of general interest, forcing companies to pay attention and respond to current problems. This is a new dimension of corporate social responsibility, where companies must not only manage their own affairs, but also take into account the wider concerns of society. What's more, this capacity for large-scale mobilisation can sometimes obstruct or influence international debates, by emphasising specific points of view or highlighting hitherto neglected issues. This is a new form of citizen participation that changes the traditional dynamics of public and political debate.


Internet a le pouvoir d'inciter à l'activisme et de provoquer un changement significatif dans nos institutions, en stimulant des conversations et des actions ciblées autour de sujets considérés comme prioritaires par la population. Il facilite une dynamique rapide d'échanges et de partages d'informations, qui peuvent rapidement conduire à une prise de conscience collective et à une action coordonnée. Cela remet en question les structures traditionnelles de pouvoir, qui sont souvent lentes à réagir ou à changer, et renforce la capacité de la société à influencer directement les politiques et les décisions institutionnelles. L'essor d'Internet a engendré une forme innovante de démocratie directe, qui se caractérise par sa capacité à produire des résultats efficaces. Cette démocratie digitale, en donnant la voix à des communautés en ligne diversifiées et en favorisant l'engagement citoyen, met au défi les partis politiques traditionnels, les entreprises et les grandes firmes internationales. Ces derniers doivent désormais prendre en compte ces nouvelles voix et reconsidérer leurs priorités à l'aune des préoccupations et des exigences exprimées par ces communautés en ligne. La puissance de cette forme renouvelée de démocratie est telle qu'elle peut influencer des décisions et des politiques à grande échelle, redéfinissant ainsi le paysage politique et économique traditionnel.
=Forecasting and Foresight: Are Future Conflicts Moving Towards a New Form of Subversion?=
We may be witnessing the emergence of new forms of subversion and protest. With the growth of global connectivity and access to information, it is easier than ever for individuals and groups to organise and coordinate subversive actions. In addition, frustration and dissatisfaction with growing socio-economic inequalities, unresolved environmental problems and political dysfunction can fuel these protest movements. However, it is important to note that violence is not an inevitable feature of these renewed forms of subversion. While some groups may resort to violent methods to press their claims, others adopt peaceful strategies of resistance and protest, such as non-violent demonstrations, civil disobedience campaigns, or the use of social media to raise awareness and mobilise the public. So while we may see an intensification of conflict and tension as people fight for change, it is also possible that these conflicts will take new and innovative forms, which are not necessarily more violent, but which may be more disruptive, creative and focused on mobilising public opinion.  
L'Internet a grandement amplifié le pouvoir de rendre publics des problèmes et des questions d'intérêt général, forçant les entreprises à prêter attention et à répondre aux problématiques actuelles. C'est une nouvelle dimension de responsabilité sociétale des entreprises, où elles doivent non seulement gérer leurs propres affaires, mais aussi prendre en compte les préoccupations plus larges de la société. Par ailleurs, cette capacité de mobilisation à grande échelle peut parfois obstruer ou influencer les débats internationaux, en insistant sur des points de vue spécifiques ou en mettant en lumière des problématiques jusque-là négligées. C'est une nouvelle forme de participation citoyenne qui modifie les dynamiques traditionnelles du débat public et politique.


=Prévision et Prospective : Les Conflits Futurs Versent-ils vers une Nouvelle Forme de Subversion ?=
In certain fringes of the extreme left, there is a discourse that advocates a radicalisation of action and a reappropriation of subversion as a tool for social and political change. This can be seen as a response to what they see as the failure of traditional institutions to respond to current societal problems, including growing economic inequality, the climate crisis and the rise of the far right. However, these discourses are not representative of all currents of thought on the far left, which is in fact very diverse, and advocacy of a more radical or subversive approach does not necessarily mean support for violence. Subversion can take many forms, including non-violent actions aimed at disrupting the status quo and bringing about change. It is also crucial to recognise that radicalisation of discourse can have serious consequences, particularly if it leads to further polarisation of society and escalation of violence.
Il est possible que nous assistions à l'émergence de nouvelles formes de subversion et de contestation. Avec la croissance de la connectivité mondiale et de l'accès à l'information, il est plus facile que jamais pour les individus et les groupes d'organiser et de coordonner des actions subversives. De plus, la frustration et l'insatisfaction face aux inégalités socio-économiques grandissantes, aux problèmes environnementaux non résolus, et aux dysfonctionnements politiques peuvent alimenter ces mouvements de contestation. Toutefois, il est important de noter que la violence n'est pas une caractéristique inévitable de ces formes renouvelées de subversion. Si certains groupes peuvent recourir à des méthodes violentes pour faire valoir leurs revendications, d'autres adoptent des stratégies pacifiques de résistance et de protestation, comme les manifestations non violentes, les campagnes de désobéissance civile, ou l'utilisation des médias sociaux pour sensibiliser et mobiliser le public. Ainsi, bien que nous puissions observer une intensification des conflits et des tensions à mesure que les gens luttent pour le changement, il est aussi possible que ces conflits prennent des formes nouvelles et innovantes, qui ne sont pas nécessairement plus violentes, mais qui peuvent être plus disruptives, créatives et axées sur la mobilisation de l'opinion publique.
Dans certaines franges de l'extrême gauche, il existe un discours qui défend une radicalisation de l'action et une réappropriation de la subversion comme outil de changement social et politique. Cela peut être vu comme une réponse à ce qu'ils considèrent comme l'échec des institutions traditionnelles à répondre aux problèmes sociétaux actuels, notamment l'inégalité économique croissante, la crise climatique et la montée de l'extrême droite. Cependant, ces discours ne sont pas représentatifs de tous les courants de pensée de l'extrême gauche, qui est en réalité très diverse, et que le plaidoyer pour une approche plus radicale ou subversive ne signifie pas nécessairement un soutien à la violence. La subversion peut prendre de nombreuses formes, y compris des actions non violentes visant à perturber le statu quo et à provoquer le changement. Il est également crucial de reconnaître que la radicalisation du discours peut avoir des conséquences sérieuses, en particulier si elle conduit à une polarisation accrue de la société et à une escalade de la violence.  


Dans certaines franges de la société, en particulier au sein des groupes radicaux de gauche, on observe une tendance à réinterpréter les rapports de pouvoir en termes binaires : ceux qui oppriment (généralement perçus comme étant les élites politiques, économiques et culturelles) et ceux qui sont opprimés (les groupes marginalisés, les travailleurs, les minorités, etc.). Cette vision du monde repose sur une critique profonde de la démocratie libérale traditionnelle, que ces groupes jugent inadéquate ou défaillante. Ils argumentent souvent que le système politique actuel favorise les élites au détriment du peuple, créant ainsi des inégalités systémiques. Pour certains, cette situation impliquerait que nous ne vivons pas réellement dans une démocratie, mais plutôt dans une sorte d'oligarchie ou de ploutocratie déguisée. L'appel à la subversion et à la résurgence d'idées associées à la guérilla urbaine peut être interprété comme une réaction aux sentiments d'aliénation et d'impuissance ressentis par certains face à ce qu'ils perçoivent comme un système injuste. Ces individus et groupes soutiennent que des méthodes plus conventionnelles de protestation et de résistance, comme le militantisme pacifique ou le lobbying politique, sont insuffisantes pour provoquer le changement de société qu'ils désirent. Dans ce contexte, l'action individuelle et collective, même si elle est contestataire et potentiellement violente, est vue comme un moyen nécessaire pour paralyser et finalement transformer le système existant..
In some sections of society, particularly among radical left-wing groups, there is a tendency to reinterpret power relations in binary terms: those who oppress (generally perceived to be the political, economic and cultural elites) and those who are oppressed (marginalised groups, workers, minorities, etc.). This worldview is based on a profound critique of traditional liberal democracy, which these groups consider inadequate or flawed. They often argue that the current political system favours the elites to the detriment of the people, creating systemic inequalities. For some, this implies that we are not really living in a democracy, but rather in a kind of oligarchy or plutocracy in disguise. The call for subversion and the resurgence of ideas associated with urban guerrilla warfare can be interpreted as a reaction to the feelings of alienation and powerlessness felt by some in the face of what they perceive to be an unjust system. These individuals and groups argue that more conventional methods of protest and resistance, such as peaceful activism or political lobbying, are insufficient to bring about the societal change they desire. In this context, individual and collective action, even if it is contentious and potentially violent, is seen as a necessary means of paralysing and ultimately transforming the existing system.


Le groupe Tiqqun, qui s'est formé à la fin des années 1990, était une collective française radicale qui a publié divers textes théoriques sur la nature du pouvoir, du capitalisme et de la résistance dans les sociétés contemporaines. Tiqqun s'est concentré sur des questionnements philosophiques profonds et complexes, cherchant à déconstruire les structures de pouvoir existantes et à comprendre comment les formes de résistance et de subversion pourraient émerger. Cela implique une réflexion intensive, tant sur les conditions actuelles que sur les possibilités futures. Par exemple, ils se sont interrogés sur la nature de l'individu et de la collectivité, sur la manière dont le pouvoir est exercé et résisté, et sur la possibilité d'une transformation radicale de la société. En particulier, ils se sont intéressés à la manière dont les formes de pouvoir s'insinuent dans les aspects les plus intimes de nos vies, créant ce qu'ils appellent le "Biopouvoir".  
Le groupe Tiqqun, qui s'est formé à la fin des années 1990, était une collective française radicale qui a publié divers textes théoriques sur la nature du pouvoir, du capitalisme et de la résistance dans les sociétés contemporaines. Tiqqun s'est concentré sur des questionnements philosophiques profonds et complexes, cherchant à déconstruire les structures de pouvoir existantes et à comprendre comment les formes de résistance et de subversion pourraient émerger. Cela implique une réflexion intensive, tant sur les conditions actuelles que sur les possibilités futures. Par exemple, ils se sont interrogés sur la nature de l'individu et de la collectivité, sur la manière dont le pouvoir est exercé et résisté, et sur la possibilité d'une transformation radicale de la société. En particulier, ils se sont intéressés à la manière dont les formes de pouvoir s'insinuent dans les aspects les plus intimes de nos vies, créant ce qu'ils appellent le "Biopouvoir".  


Le groupe Tiqqun s'est engagé dans une démarche critique et subversive. Leur objectif était d'examiner et de questionner les structures de pouvoir en place et les mécanismes d'oppression dans la société. Ils cherchaient à démontrer comment ces mécanismes se cachent souvent derrière des structures et des pratiques apparemment neutres ou banales, influençant notre vie quotidienne de manière profonde et souvent invisible. En mettant en lumière ces forces, Tiqqun visait à encourager une prise de conscience et une résistance plus larges. Leur travail était donc en grande partie une forme de subversion intellectuelle, visant à déstabiliser les conceptions et les pratiques établies et à ouvrir la voie à de nouvelles possibilités de pensée et d'action.
The Tiqqun group is committed to a critical and subversive approach. Their aim was to examine and question the power structures in place and the mechanisms of oppression in society. They sought to demonstrate how these mechanisms are often hidden behind seemingly neutral or banal structures and practices, influencing our daily lives in profound and often invisible ways. By highlighting these forces, Tiqqun aimed to encourage wider awareness and resistance. Their work was therefore very much a form of intellectual subversion, aimed at destabilising established conceptions and practices and opening the way to new possibilities for thought and action.
 
Tiqqun's approach reflects their desire to escape traditional categories and classifications. Their work is often deliberately provocative, complex and open to multiple interpretations. By refusing to be easily defined, they have sought to challenge dominant assumptions and norms, while resisting any attempt to co-opt or simplify their ideas. The ambiguity of their work, far from being a weakness, is in fact an integral part of their subversive strategy. For example, by avoiding positioning themselves clearly within the traditional political spectrum, they have been able to avoid being easily labelled or delegitimised. This has enabled them to remain open to multiple points of view and to resist the tendency towards polarisation and essentialisation that often characterises political debate. In short, Tiqqun's approach illustrates how subversion can take forms that are not only direct and overt, but also indirect and subtle, challenging power structures not only through confrontation, but also through ambiguity, complexity and resistance to categorisation.


L'approche de Tiqqun reflète leur volonté d'échapper aux catégories et aux classifications traditionnelles. Leur travail est souvent délibérément provocateur, complexe et sujet à de multiples interprétations. En refusant de se laisser facilement définir, ils ont cherché à remettre en question les présupposés et les normes dominantes, tout en résistant à toute tentative de cooptation ou de simplification de leurs idées. L'ambiguïté de leur travail, loin d'être une faiblesse, est en réalité une partie intégrante de leur stratégie subversive. Par exemple, en évitant de se positionner clairement dans le spectre politique traditionnel, ils ont pu éviter d'être facilement étiquetés ou délégitimés. Cela leur a permis de rester ouverts à de multiples points de vue et de résister à la tendance à la polarisation et à l'essentialisation qui caractérise souvent le débat politique. En somme, l'approche de Tiqqun illustre comment la subversion peut prendre des formes non seulement directes et manifestes, mais aussi indirectes et subtiles, mettant en question les structures de pouvoir non seulement par la confrontation, mais aussi par l'ambiguïté, la complexité et la résistance à la catégorisation.
The feeling of an absence of solutions seems to be the result of growing frustration with the impression that the traditional political system is incapable of responding effectively to current challenges. When neither the left nor the right seem to offer convincing alternatives, some people may feel desperate and think that the only way to achieve change is by radical or even subversive means. This can lead to 'a coming insurgency', a wave of protest and radical resistance born of the feeling that the status quo is intolerable and that the current political system is incapable of providing viable solutions. This is a potentially unstable and unpredictable situation, where traditional forms of politics and civic engagement can be challenged and new movements and ideologies can emerge.


Le sentiment d'absence de solutions semble être le résultat d'une frustration croissante face à l'impression que le système politique traditionnel est incapable de répondre efficacement aux défis actuels. Quand ni la gauche ni la droite ne semblent offrir des alternatives convaincantes, certaines personnes peuvent se sentir désespérées et penser que le seul moyen d'obtenir un changement est par des moyens radicaux ou même subversifs. Cette situation peut mener à "une insurrection qui vient", une vague de protestations et de résistance radicale née du sentiment que le statu quo est intolérable et que le système politique actuel est incapable de fournir des solutions viables. Il s'agit là d'une situation potentiellement instable et imprévisible, où les formes traditionnelles de politique et d'engagement civique peuvent être remises en question et où de nouveaux mouvements et idéologies peuvent émerger.  
Faced with a sense of powerlessness and despair due to the absence of social solutions, some individuals or groups may be tempted to resort to more radical, even subversive, methods to bring about the change they feel is necessary. It is important to note that subversion and urban guerrilla warfare, often associated with violent acts of resistance, are generally seen as strategies of last resort when normal channels of social and political change are perceived to be ineffective or inaccessible. Reactualising urban guerrilla warfare" can mean using unconventional resistance tactics, ranging from civil disobedience to armed resistance, to disrupt the existing social and political order. However, these methods are generally controversial and can lead to major social and political conflict. Moreover, they may not produce the desired results and may even aggravate the social problems they seek to resolve.


Face à un sentiment d'impuissance et de désespoir dû à l'absence de solutions sociales, certains individus ou groupes peuvent être tentés de recourir à des méthodes plus radicales, voire subversives, pour provoquer le changement qu'ils estiment nécessaire. Il est important de noter que la subversion et la guérilla urbaine, souvent associées à des actes de résistance violents, sont généralement considérées comme des stratégies de dernier recours lorsqu'il est perçu que les canaux normaux de changement social et politique sont inefficaces ou inaccessibles. Le fait de "réactualiser la guérilla urbaine" peut signifier le recours à des tactiques de résistance non conventionnelles, allant de la désobéissance civile à la résistance armée, dans le but de perturber l'ordre social et politique existant. Toutefois, ces méthodes sont généralement controversées et peuvent mener à des conflits sociaux et politiques importants. En outre, elles risquent de ne pas produire les résultats escomptés et peuvent même aggraver les problèmes sociaux qu'elles cherchent à résoudre.
An insurrection is coming because the present has no way out. No alternative seems possible on either the left or the right. If there are no social solutions, we are in a logic of despair, so we have to resort to subversion. So we need to revive urban guerrilla warfare. In contexts of deep social and political dissatisfaction, some may be tempted to revive the theories and practices of insurrection. The aim would be to disrupt or paralyse existing structures, often perceived as oppressive or unjust. However, these modern insurgent movements, while they may borrow tactics and strategies from the past, also tend to introduce innovations. For example, they may exploit digital technologies to coordinate actions, share information, mobilise support and highlight injustices. They may also adopt more decentralised and horizontal approaches to organisation and decision-making, as opposed to traditional hierarchical power structures.


Il y aurait une insurrection qui vient parce que le présent est défini sans issues. Aucune alternative ne semble possible ni à gauche ni à droite. S’il n’y a pas de solutions sociales, nous sommes dans une logique de désespoir, il faut donc faire appel à la subversion. Du coup, il faut réactualiser la guérilla urbaine. Dans des contextes de profonde insatisfaction sociale et politique, certains peuvent être tentés de renouer avec les théories et les pratiques de l'insurrection. Le but serait de perturber ou de paralyser les structures existantes, souvent perçues comme oppressives ou injustes. Cependant, ces mouvements insurrectionnels modernes, bien qu'ils puissent emprunter à des tactiques et des stratégies du passé, ont également tendance à apporter des innovations. Par exemple, ils peuvent exploiter les technologies numériques pour coordonner les actions, partager des informations, mobiliser le soutien et mettre en lumière les injustices. Ils peuvent aussi adopter des approches plus décentralisées et horizontales de l'organisation et de la prise de décision, par opposition aux structures de pouvoir hiérarchiques traditionnelles. 
There is a fundamental tension between radical protest movements and the conventional democratic framework. On the one hand, a functional democracy is supposed to provide avenues for discontent and social change through elections, lobbying, public debate and other forms of political participation. On the other hand, protest movements can develop when these conventional channels are perceived as inadequate, blocked or corrupt. They may seek to challenge existing power structures and bring about change more radically or rapidly than is possible within the conventional democratic process. This does not necessarily mean that they are undemocratic. Indeed, many see themselves as trying to extend or revitalise democracy, making it more participatory, inclusive or responsive to the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens. Some protest movements may seek to reform the system from within, while others may seek to disrupt or overthrow it. While some protest movements seek to promote more radical or expanded forms of democracy, others may have agendas that are actually anti-democratic. For example, they may seek to establish an undemocratic form of authority or control, or to impose their own values or ideologies without respect for the principles of pluralism and freedom of expression. Ultimately, whether and how protest movements can fit into a democracy depends very much on the specific contexts, objectives and strategies of these movements, as well as on how democracy itself is understood and practised.
Il existe une tension fondamentale entre les mouvements contestataires radicaux et le cadre démocratique conventionnel. D'une part, une démocratie fonctionnelle est censée offrir des voies pour le mécontentement et le changement social par le biais d'élections, de lobbying, de débat public et d'autres formes de participation politique. D'autre part, les mouvements contestataires peuvent se développer lorsque ces voies conventionnelles sont perçues comme inadéquates, bloquées ou corrompues. Ils peuvent chercher à défier les structures de pouvoir existantes et à susciter des changements plus radicaux ou plus rapides qu'il n'est possible dans le cadre du processus démocratique conventionnel. Cela ne signifie pas nécessairement qu'ils sont antidémocratiques. En effet, beaucoup se voient eux-mêmes comme tentant d'étendre ou de revitaliser la démocratie, en la rendant plus participative, inclusive ou réactive aux besoins et préoccupations des citoyens ordinaires. Certains mouvements contestataires peuvent chercher à réformer le système de l'intérieur, tandis que d'autres peuvent chercher à le perturber ou à le renverser. Alors que certains mouvements contestataires cherchent à promouvoir des formes plus radicales ou élargies de démocratie, d'autres peuvent avoir des agendas qui sont en réalité antidémocratiques. Par exemple, ils peuvent chercher à instaurer une forme d'autorité ou de contrôle non démocratique, ou à imposer leurs propres valeurs ou idéologies sans respect pour les principes de pluralisme et de liberté d'expression. En fin de compte, la question de savoir si et comment les mouvements contestataires peuvent s'inscrire dans une démocratie dépend beaucoup des contextes spécifiques, des objectifs et des stratégies de ces mouvements, ainsi que de la façon dont la démocratie elle-même est comprise et mise en pratique.


=Annexes=
=Annexes=

Version actuelle datée du 7 juillet 2023 à 11:47

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The form that a protest takes is a reflection of the social structures that gave rise to it. Similarly, systems of social organisation have characteristic forms that manifest themselves through different actions and initiatives. However, it is important to note that these forms are not static and can evolve over time in response to various factors, such as changing societal values, technological developments, or economic or political crises. For example, twentieth-century social movements, such as those for civil rights or feminism, were often structured around large organisations and charismatic leaders, with mass demonstrations as the preferred mode of action. In the digital age, we are seeing more and more 'networked' movements, where organisation is decentralised and action can take many different forms, from street demonstrations to online awareness campaigns. As for the homogeneity of the actions undertaken, this can be due to several factors. In a given context, certain forms of action may be perceived as more effective or legitimate and therefore adopted more widely. In addition, the existence of cultural 'scripts' or social norms may direct people towards certain forms of action rather than others.

The etymology of the word "protest"[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Language reflects the complexity of social life and offers countless words to describe different situations. However, these terms are not always precise or distinct from one another. For example, words like "society", "community", "group" and "network" can sometimes be used interchangeably, although they have nuances of meaning. Some sociologists, philosophers and other thinkers have suggested that our linguistic and conceptual categories can mislead us into perceiving sharper divisions between social phenomena than actually exist. For example, we might think of the distinction between 'private' and 'public' as neat and clear, when in reality these domains overlap and interact in complex ways. Furthermore, the use of certain words and their meaning can vary according to cultural, historical and even personal context. For example, the concept of 'freedom' can have very different meanings in political, philosophical or personal contexts. That said, although the words and concepts used to describe the social are sometimes vague or interconnected, they remain a valuable tool for analysing and understanding our world. By taking into account their complexity and context, we can deepen our understanding of social dynamics and human experiences.

The etymology of the word "protest" is linked to the idea of "testimony" or "affirmation". The Latin word "protestare" means "to declare publicly" or "to affirm solemnly". In fact, the term Protestant, derived from Latin, appeared in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation, a religious movement that challenged certain doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church. Protestantism was characterised by an insistence on personal reading of the Bible and individual interpretation of its meaning, in contrast to the Catholic insistence on the authority of the Church and the clergy. In this sense, "protest" in Protestantism was an affirmation of individual faith and a critique of established religious authority. Over time, the word 'protest' in a secular context has taken on a broader meaning to refer to any form of disagreement or challenge to a state of affairs or authority. This can take the form of mass street demonstrations, strikes, boycotts or other forms of collective action. These forms of protest may, of course, vary in terms of their level of confrontation or violence.

Protestantism[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Protestantism, as its name suggests, was born out of a protest, a statement of faith that opposed certain practices and beliefs of the Catholic Church of the time. Protestantism marked a significant break with the Catholic Church, proposing a new interpretation of the Christian faith and criticising what its founders saw as the excesses of Catholicism. In distinguishing itself from Catholicism, Protestantism introduced progressive notions, laying the foundations for certain fundamental principles of modern thought. At the heart of these principles are the inherent dignity of man, free will and a call to oppose the status quo in order to build a better world. Human dignity, a fundamental concept of Protestantism, stems from the conviction that all people are equal before God and possess intrinsic worth. This concept is in direct contrast to certain interpretations of Catholicism, which gave considerable authority to the clergy. Protestantism also emphasised free will in faith, asserting that each individual has the ability and responsibility to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. This idea has helped to democratise the faith and make it more accessible to lay people. Finally, Protestantism has often encouraged a form of engagement with the world aimed at transforming society so that it is more in line with biblical principles. This has led many Protestants to become involved in movements for social reform, economic justice and education. These principles have played an essential role in the development of modern thought and have influenced areas as diverse as politics, economics, philosophy and science. They continue to be a powerful driver of contemporary discourse and practice in many aspects of social life.

Protestantism brought a humanist interpretation of society and religion, centred on the dignity and free will of the individual. This perspective led to a rereading and reinterpretation of biblical texts, which in turn gave rise to new religious institutions and practices. One of the major changes introduced by Protestantism is the concept of the "universal priesthood" - the idea that every believer has direct access to God and can interpret the Bible for themselves, without the need for a priest or other intermediary. This helped to democratise access to the faith and give individuals greater responsibility for their own religious practice. Protestantism has also emphasised the formation of communities of believers who gather to worship and study the Bible together. These communities, or churches, are often governed democratically, with members of the community playing an active role in decision-making. This contrasts with the more traditional hierarchical model of the Catholic Church. Finally, Protestantism has encouraged active engagement in the world, including efforts to transform society along Christian lines. This has often led Protestants to engage in social action and champion causes such as social and economic justice.

The principles introduced by Protestantism, such as individual dignity, free will, engagement with the community and the world, all have profound implications for the way we understand ourselves as individuals and societies. The issue of social cohesion is particularly relevant today, in an increasingly diverse and pluralistic context. The principle of respect for the dignity of every individual, regardless of their beliefs, origins or status, is fundamental to maintaining an inclusive and harmonious society. Similarly, the idea of free will encourages tolerance and respect for individual choices, including religious belief or lack of it. It is a key notion for freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, two fundamental principles of democratic societies. Involvement in the community and the world, another core value of Protestantism, emphasises the importance of active participation in social and political life for the well-being of society as a whole. This can manifest itself in different ways, from involvement in local voluntary organisations to activism for global causes. Finally, the idea of individual interpretation of sacred texts is a reminder of the importance of education and literacy, not only for personal religious practice, but also for informed participation in public life. These principles have shaped not only Protestantism, but also the way we think about and live in our contemporary societies. They continue to shed light on key current issues, such as social cohesion and collective participation.

Beyond indignation or protest, what is essential is the creation of a collective meaning, the construction of a shared vision that unites individuals and mobilises them towards a common goal. It is often this ability to create collective meaning that determines the success or failure of a social movement or societal transformation. This process of creating meaning can be seen as a paradigm for change. Instead of focusing solely on problems or injustices, it is about proposing an alternative, a vision of a better future. This is what transforms indignation into constructive action. Social change can take many forms and involve a variety of strategies and tactics. However, whatever form it takes, it is almost always marked by strong symbolism. Symbols are powerful because they can encapsulate complex ideas and deep feelings in a concise and memorable way. They can help give a movement an identity, mobilise supporters and communicate the movement's message to a wider audience. Whether they are slogans, logos, songs, gestures or acts of civil disobedience, these symbols play a key role in building collective meaning and facilitating social change. They serve both to unify participants in the movement and to disseminate their ideas to a wider audience, creating the conditions necessary for social change.

The concept of protest is intrinsically linked to the idea of dialogue and exchange. A protest is often the result of dissatisfaction or disagreement with an existing situation, and represents a form of communicating these concerns to a wider audience, be it the authorities, the general public or other stakeholders. However, as the intensity of a protest increases, the opportunity for genuine dialogue can sometimes diminish. More intense protests can reflect deep frustration or anger, and can sometimes lead to increased polarisation and reduced communication between different groups. This is why protest, while an important form of social and political expression, is only one aspect of the response to injustice or dissatisfaction. To be truly effective, it often needs to be complemented by other forms of action, including dialogue, negotiation, education and community organisation.

Protest itself can take many different forms, from street demonstrations and strikes to direct action and civil disobedience. Each form of protest has its own strengths and weaknesses, and can be adapted to a greater or lesser extent depending on the specific context and objectives.

From Confrontation to Subversion: The Evolution of Sociopolitical Conflict[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Analysis of Traditional Conflict[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Julien Freund.

Political science takes a close interest in protests and social movements as major forces for social and political change. In this context, the notion of conflict is often a central component of the analysis. Conflict, in the context of political science, does not necessarily mean violence or war, but rather any situation in which two or more parties have conflicting objectives or interests. Conflicts can occur at all levels of society, from individual disagreements to large-scale social and political conflicts. Protest is often a response to a perceived conflict, be it a conflict of economic interests, social values or political power. Individuals or groups who feel aggrieved or marginalised by the status quo may use protest to express their dissatisfaction and demand change. Political science is interested in how these conflicts arise, how they are managed or resolved, and what the consequences are for society as a whole. This can involve the study of power structures, the resources available to different groups, the strategies and tactics used in conflict, and the factors that can facilitate or hinder conflict resolution.

Conflict can be seen as going beyond protest, and sometimes even as a post-protest phase. In protest, individuals or groups express their disagreement or dissatisfaction, often in a public and visible way. When these protests are not taken into account or resolved satisfactorily, they can develop into deeper and longer-lasting conflicts. Conflict can take many forms, from verbal disputes to direct action, civil disobedience and sometimes even violence. Unlike a protest, which is often a reaction to a specific situation, a conflict can involve more systematic and deep-rooted opposition. It can also be more complex and difficult to resolve, as it may involve fundamental disagreements over values, interests or power structures. While conflict can be a source of tension and disorder, it can also be a driver of change and innovation. By highlighting problems and injustices, conflict can stimulate debate, reflection and action, eventually leading to new solutions and positive change. So political science, along with other social science disciplines, takes a close interest in the dynamics of conflict, how it evolves and its impact on society. It is a complex and multidimensional field that requires an in-depth understanding of social, political and psychological processes.

Julien Freund was a French sociologist and political philosopher who was born in 1921 and died in 1995. He is known for his work on conflict theory, the essence of politics and political realism. Freund is best known for his book The Essence of Politics (1965), in which he develops a realist analysis of politics based on the ideas of Carl Schmitt, a German political theorist. In this book, Freund argues that conflict is an inevitable and fundamental element of politics. Freund has also written on other subjects related to politics, sociology and philosophy, including war and peace, ethics, power, freedom and authority. Although his ideas were controversial because of their association with Schmitt, who was criticised for his links with the Nazi regime, Freund nevertheless made a significant contribution to political and sociological theory. Freund resisted Nazi occupation during the Second World War, was arrested by the Gestapo and survived several concentration camps. These experiences undoubtedly had an impact on his later views on politics and conflict.

Julien Freund has made a significant contribution to the understanding of political legitimacy and violence. His work on these subjects is mainly based on a rereading and reinterpretation of earlier work in these fields, in particular that of Max Weber and Carl Schmitt. On the question of political legitimacy, Freund relied heavily on the work of Max Weber. For Weber, legitimacy was one of the key sources of political authority, and he distinguished three types of legitimacy: traditional legitimacy (based on established customs and traditions), charismatic legitimacy (based on the personality and charisma of a leader), and rational-legal legitimacy (based on established rules and laws). Freund took up and developed these ideas, focusing on the role of conflict and violence in establishing and maintaining political legitimacy. For Freund, legitimacy is not simply a question of consent or acceptance, but also implies a coercive dimension: to be legitimate, an authority must be capable of maintaining order and resolving conflicts, including through the use of force if necessary. As far as violence is concerned, Freund was strongly influenced by Carl Schmitt and his theory of politics. Schmitt argued that the essence of politics lies in the distinction between 'friend' and 'enemy', and that the possibility of conflict - including violence - is a fundamental characteristic of politics. Freund took up these ideas, emphasising that violence is not simply an aberration or failure of politics, but can in fact play a central role in establishing and preserving political order. These ideas have been controversial, but they have nevertheless made an important contribution to political theory, focusing on aspects of power, conflict and violence that are often neglected in more idealised approaches to politics.

Freund offers an in-depth reflection on conflict, insisting that it is not an accident or anomaly, but intrinsically linked to the nature of society and politics.

Freund sees conflict as a profound divergence of interests that can arise when there is tension between those who accept the current state of public space and those who desire change. Conflict then emerges from the contradictions inherent in society, shaping different positions and attitudes. According to Freund, conflict is not simply an aberration or a chance incident, but rather a reality inherent in human and social existence. To demonstrate this, he cites the example of Marxism, which cannot be considered an accident of history. On the contrary, Marxism is fundamentally rooted in conflict thinking. Karl Marx himself conceptualised society in terms of class conflict, arguing that power struggles between social classes - specifically between the bourgeoisie, which owns the means of production, and the proletariat, which sells its labour power - are the central engine of historical progress and social change. From this perspective, conflict is not an accident, but a necessary and inevitable mechanism of social dynamics. This perspective is similar to that of Freund, who sees conflict as a structural phenomenon rather than an anomaly. For him, understanding conflict is essential to understanding the nature of politics and society.

Freund argues that conflict is the result of a profound divergence of interests. He identifies a tension inherent in conflict, which exists between those who are satisfied with the current state of public space and those who want change. This conflict is fuelled by societal contradictions, giving rise to a variety of positions and orientations. He recognises the existence of several types of conflict, including social conflict and class conflict. In the social context, conflict shapes the structure of negotiations. Trade unionism, an inherent element of any democracy, is a representative example of this. Trade unions represent specific interests and negotiate these interests with governments on the basis of social conflict. For Marxists, these conflicts are the expression of an intrinsically contradictory mode of production. It is a balance of power that emanates from the societal changes to which some people are opposed. Class conflict is another important type of conflict. According to Marxist theory, society is divided into different classes, whose interests are fundamentally in conflict. For example, the bourgeoisie, which owns the means of production, is in conflict with the proletariat, which sells its labour power. This class conflict is seen as the driving force of history and social change.

Freund argues that all societies are inherently conflictual. Conflict is inherent in social existence; it is not necessarily negative, but can be a vector for progress. History shows that all societies have experienced various forms of conflict. When a society undergoes rapid and major change, it may struggle to keep pace, which increases the potential for conflict. There is a gap between the speed of change and the capacity of human beings to adapt. When social and political transformations are particularly drastic, this can lead to resistance and opposition to change. In short, conflict can be seen as a concept of discordance, reflecting the tensions inherent in any society on the move. Conflicts are therefore not simply unwanted disturbances, but can be seen as indicators of the deep-seated tensions and power struggles that structure society, and which can lead to its evolution.

Finally, for Freund, conflict is intrinsically linked to the conception of public space. Not only is it an inevitable feature of public space, but it also plays a decisive role in the way in which that space is understood and structured. In the philosophical and political sense, public space is the place where people come together to debate, exchange ideas and resolve their differences. Consequently, conflict is inevitable in the public space, as individuals and groups often have divergent points of view, conflicting interests and different ideologies. Thus, by engaging in public space, individuals potentially enter into conflict. This does not mean that every interaction in the public space is conflictual, but rather that conflictuality is an inherent possibility of participation in the public space. In this sense, conflict can be seen as a fundamental and necessary feature of democracy, which values open debate and diversity of opinion.

According to Freund and other social theorists, conflict is an inevitable component of social relations. This does not mean that every social interaction is conflictual, but rather that the potential for conflict exists in every social relationship. Differences in interests, values, perspectives and even understanding of situations can lead to conflict. Social relationships are dynamic and evolving, and conflict can be a driving force for change and adaptation. For example, conflict can stimulate innovation, encourage the evolution of social norms, or prompt individuals to re-evaluate their beliefs and behaviours. In this way, although conflict can be a source of tension and disagreement, it can also contribute to the vitality and progress of society.

Modern societies exhibit specific forms of conflictuality due to multiple causes. These forms of conflictuality may reflect the evolution of our societies in terms of values, economic structures, technologies and power relations. Here are some examples of potential causes:

  • Economic and social inequality: Disparities in income and wealth can lead to tension and conflict. People who feel unfairly treated or dispossessed may protest against the status quo, leading to social conflict.
  • Cultural diversity and ideological differences: Modern societies are often characterised by a wide diversity of cultures, religions and values. This can lead to conflict when different groups have incompatible worldviews, or when the rights and freedoms of certain groups are perceived to be under threat.
  • Globalisation and competition for resources: Globalisation has increased competition for limited resources, which can lead to conflict between nations, regions or groups within the same society.
  • Technological change: Rapidly evolving technologies have transformed many aspects of daily life and the economy, which can create tensions between those who adapt to new technologies and those who feel left behind.
  • Environmental issues: Environmental challenges, such as climate change, can generate conflicts over the distribution of resources, responsibilities for mitigating the effects of climate change, and strategies for adapting our societies to these changes.

The nature and extent of conflict in a society can be greatly influenced by the speed at which the society changes. In our modern societies, characterised by a rapid pace of technological, economic, social and cultural change, conflict can become more frequent or more intense. These rapid changes can provoke feelings of insecurity, anxiety and disorientation, as people find it difficult to adapt or to understand the implications of the changes taking place around them. What's more, the benefits of these rapid changes are not always evenly distributed across society, which can create tensions between those who benefit from the changes and those who feel left behind or threatened by them. Indeed, there are often conflicts between the defenders of modernity, who see rapid change as a source of opportunity and progress, and those who value tradition, stability and continuity more, and who may perceive rapid change as a threat to their way of life or values.

The mismatch in temporality, or the gap between different speeds of change in a society, can be a major source of tension and conflict. Individuals and social groups have different rhythms of life, different expectations of the speed and direction of change, and different capacities to adapt to change. These differences can lead to misunderstandings, frustrations and conflicts. These conflicts are generally played out in the public arena, where different social actors express their opinions, defend their interests and negotiate their differences. The public arena is therefore not only a place of conflict, but also a place where the rules for managing conflict are defined and implemented.

Conflict is an inevitable and, to some extent, necessary aspect of any society. It arises from differences in interests, values, beliefs and perspectives between individuals and social groups. Conflicts can play a constructive role in a society. They can stimulate debate, innovation and change, by highlighting problems and injustices and encouraging people to seek solutions. Conflicts can also help to clarify positions and preferences, reinforce group identity, and hold ruling elites accountable for their actions. However, conflicts can also have destructive effects if they are not properly managed. They can lead to violence, social polarisation and political paralysis, and can erode social bonds and mutual trust. This is why it is crucial to have effective mechanisms for resolving conflicts and promoting dialogue and cooperation. It is therefore important to recognise and manage conflict rather than trying to suppress or ignore it. Suppressing conflict may simply lead to it erupting in more violent and destructive ways in the future. Effective conflict management, on the other hand, can enable a society to take advantage of the constructive aspects of conflict while minimising its destructive aspects.

Julien Freund distinguishes between two forms of conflict: struggle and combat. Each has its own characteristics and its own context:

  • Struggle generally refers to a type of conflict that is structured and predictable. For example, class struggle is a type of conflict that occurs within an established social structure, and is often predictable in its forms and outcomes. In this context, the struggle is often organised and regulated in such a way as to maintain a certain order, as can be seen in the role of the security services at demonstrations. Struggle is also often a way for marginalised or disadvantaged groups to claim their rights and express their protest against unjust social structures.
  • Fighting, on the other hand, refers to a type of conflict that can be more violent and less structured. However, even combat is often regulated in some way, as can be seen in the rules of conduct for warfare. The aim of combat is generally to control and limit violence, rather than letting it run unchecked. This reflects Max Weber's idea that the modern state is founded on the control and legitimate use of violence.

This distinction between struggle and combat provides a useful framework for understanding the different forms of social and political conflict. It allows us to understand that, although all conflicts may involve some form of violence, this violence can take different forms and be regulated in different ways.

Julien Freund distinguishes two states in the use of violence, the polemical state and the agonal state:

  • The polemical state is a state of war or open conflict. The word "polemos" comes from the Greek and refers to the art of war. In this state, there is overt and often unregulated violence between entities, such as states. Managing this type of violence generally requires efforts to channel and control the conflict in order to prevent an uncontrolled escalation.
  • The agonal state, on the other hand, is a state in which violence is transformed and made functional in order to prevent self-destruction. In this state, society finds ways to substitute security for violence. Conflictuality is then redirected towards competition, transforming violence into a mode of societal functioning. In this process, the idea of an "enemy" is replaced by that of an "adversary". Pure violence is abolished, and in its place a regulated and institutionalised adversity is introduced.

In short, in an agonal state, violence is captured by society and institutionalised, transforming conflict into competition. This allows society to legitimise itself, while avoiding the escalation of violence. It is a renunciation of violence in favour of an institutionalised structure of adversity. In this context, the weakest party is often the one unable to adapt to this structure of social adversity within the modern state.

While the agonal state has many advantages in channelling and institutionalising conflict, it also poses significant challenges. One of the most important is the risk that competition, which is supposed to be a healthy form of rivalry, can degenerate into full-blown violence. Maintaining balance in an agonal state requires delicate management. Social and political institutions need to be strong and flexible enough to contain and regulate conflict, while allowing healthy competition. This generally involves a balance between authority and freedom, between stability and change, and between individuality and community. If competition becomes too intense, or is perceived as unfair or rigged, it can easily degenerate into violence. Similarly, if individuals or groups feel oppressed, ignored or marginalised, they may resort to violence as a means of expressing their frustration and pressing for change.

Sport is a particularly good example of the agonal state defined by Julien Freund. It serves to channel the natural conflictuality of individuals, framing it in a competitive structure with clearly established rules. This structure allows aggression and competitiveness to express themselves in a controlled and productive, rather than destructive, way. However, sport can also be a place where violence can resurface at any time. Sports competitions can sometimes degenerate into violent conflicts, either on the pitch between players or between supporters in the stands. This is particularly the case in contact sports, where violence is an integral part of the game, but it is also true in almost all other sports. It is therefore important to maintain a delicate balance in sport. On the one hand, competitiveness and aggression must be allowed to express themselves within a controlled framework. On the other hand, care must be taken to prevent and manage violent outbursts, in order to maintain the integrity of sport and the safety of participants and spectators. Sport is therefore a striking example of the tension between the agonal state, which seeks to channel conflict in competition, and the potential for violence, which constantly threatens to spill out of this framework.

The contradiction is between having to manage sporting events without violence and being subject to the violence that emerges through sport. This contradiction is at the heart of many debates in the world of sport. On the one hand, there is a desire to minimise violence in sport in order to preserve its integrity and the safety of participants and spectators. On the other hand, there is a recognition that sport, as an expression of human conflict, is intrinsically susceptible to violent behaviour.

The Riot: A Violent Expression of Dissension[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Émeute des conducteurs routiers à Minneapolis, en 1934.

Riot represents a form of degeneration of conflict, when it escapes all institutional control and is transformed into unstructured collective violence. While conflict, even intense conflict, can generally be contained and managed through institutional mechanisms (such as negotiation, mediation or the application of the law), rioting marks a breaking point where these mechanisms are no longer effective or relevant. The notion of riot encompasses a variety of situations, ranging from spontaneous revolt against a perceived injustice to mob violence with no specific aim. Riot is characterised by its disorganised and explosive nature, which distinguishes it from more structured forms of collective violence such as insurrection or war. While riots are a form of degenerative conflict, they are also sometimes a symptom of deeper social problems that have not been resolved through the usual institutional channels. So while rioting is a problem in itself, it is also often a sign of other problems that deserve serious attention.

Riot is often seen, particularly by philosophers, as a manifestation of uncontrolled collective emotion, where the rational and structured give way to the irrational and chaotic. It symbolises a violent and disorderly expression of collective anger or frustration that has found no other way of expression or resolution. From this perspective, rioting is seen as a degeneration of conflict, because it escapes the norms and structures usually associated with conflict management. It is dominated by emotion, which can overwhelm individuals and drive them to actions they would not have undertaken in a calmer or more rational state of mind.

Riot is often perceived as dangerous because it is generally driven by strong emotions rather than rational thought. Its impulsive and immediate nature amplifies its unpredictable nature, contributing to its image of instability. Rumours often play an important role in the genesis of riots, spreading unverified information that inflames emotions and contributes to the build-up of tension. This informal and unregulated mode of communication can fuel fear, anger or indignation, eventually leading to violent outbursts. In this way, riots highlight the power of emotion in the public arena and underline the crucial role of proper information and conflict management in maintaining social stability.

Riots are often sudden and intense, crossing the boundaries of social norms, laws and morality. They develop without prior thought or strategic planning, and can sometimes manifest an absence of mercy or discernment. The main challenge posed by riots is that they are difficult to control. These outbursts of collective violence represent a marked transgression of societal values, where normally accepted rules are momentarily set aside. It's a complex phenomenon that highlights the fragility of the social order and the power of collective emotions.

Riot can sometimes take the form of gratuitous violence or rebellion against the established order, sometimes with a quasi-recreational dimension, as if the chaos engendered provided a certain pleasure or liberation from the constraints of daily life. However, it is important to note that riots generally reflect deeper social problems. They are often linked to difficult material conditions, such as poverty and unemployment, as well as feelings of marginalisation and insecurity. These factors can lead groups of people to feel excluded, ignored or mistreated by society, which in turn can lead to outbursts of collective violence in the form of riots.

Classical philosophy strongly emphasised the importance of rationality in politics. Aristotle, for example, in his work "Politics", describes politics as a practical science that requires a rational application of theory to practice. Aristotle argues that politics is the art of determining the best way to organise the community, and that this can only be achieved by using reason to analyse and understand the complex situations facing the community. In other words, the true politician, according to Aristotle, is someone who can apply reason to politics in order to solve problems and promote the well-being of the community. Plato, in "The Republic", also defends the idea that reason should guide politics. For Plato, the ideal society is governed by "philosopher-kings", who are able to use their reason to see beyond the deceptive appearances of the sensible world and understand the eternal and unchanging forms that constitute true reality. Thus, for these classical philosophers, politics is not simply a matter of power or self-interest, but of the rational application of ethical principles for the benefit of the community. Politics, for them, is an art form that requires not only technical skills, but also the ability to think rationally and make ethical decisions.

Although classical philosophy has traditionally insisted on the importance of reason in politics, it must be admitted that emotion plays an important role in political behaviour, particularly in situations of conflict or social tension. Riots, for example, are often the result of a feeling of injustice, frustration or marginalisation, and they reflect the strong emotions of those involved. This does not mean, however, that emotion is in itself irrational or harmful. Emotions can provide valuable information about our environment and can effectively motivate action. However, they can also lead to destructive or impulsive behaviour if not properly managed. In contemporary political discourse, it is true that emotion has acquired considerable importance. Politicians are increasingly resorting to emotional rhetorical strategies to mobilise their voters. This can be both beneficial and detrimental, depending on how these emotions are used. On the one hand, they can encourage citizen involvement and participation. On the other hand, they can also be used to manipulate public opinion and encourage polarisation and conflict.

Subversion and Revolutions: From Altercation to Societal Transformation[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Subversion is an interesting concept in political philosophy. The word "subversion" comes from the Latin "subvertere", which means "to overthrow" or "to upset". The prefix "sub" in Latin means "under" or "beneath", which adds an extra dimension to the idea of overturning - not only is something overturned, but it is done in a way that comes "from beneath" or from within. In a political context, subversion generally refers to an attempt to alter or overthrow existing power structures. This can involve various forms of action, from civil disobedience to clandestine resistance, as well as more subtle forms of criticism and questioning of dominant ideologies. In many cases, subversion is seen as a form of radical political activity. However, it can also be seen as an important aspect of any healthy political system, insofar as it allows for open contestation and debate, which is essential to the functioning of democracy. It is often through acts of subversion that new ideas and perspectives can emerge and be integrated into political discourse.

Subversion is a strategic and deliberate action aimed at destabilising or overthrowing an institution, a power structure or even an ideology. Unlike rioting, which is often spontaneous and unpredictable, subversion is characterised by premeditation and intentionality. Subversion is often a long-term process, as the overthrow of a system or power structure does not usually happen overnight. It usually involves careful planning and coordination between the different actors involved. Moreover, subversion can take many forms, ranging from civil disobedience and propaganda to more direct actions such as strikes, boycotts and even armed rebellion. It can also take more subtle forms, such as using art, satire or literature to criticise or challenge existing power structures. Subversion is generally perceived as a threat by those in power, and can therefore often be met with strong resistance or repression.

Building a force for transformation" is a fundamental concept in several disciplines, particularly in the military, strategic and geopolitical fields. It refers to the process by which a group or entity prepares to instigate significant change. In a military context, this idea is often applied to strategic planning, where the armed forces prepare to intervene to achieve an objective, be it victory in a conflict or the achievement of a specific political goal. From a geopolitical point of view, this may involve mobilising allies, using diplomacy, offering economic aid, using propaganda, or other tactics to influence the situation in a particular region or country. The aim is to bring about a change that serves the interests of the actor involved. In other contexts, such as the launch of a new business, technological innovation, or social and political change, this notion may refer to the mobilisation of resources, whether capital, technology, or human resources. However, regardless of the context, 'building the force to transform' requires a clear vision of the changes desired, a strategy for achieving them, and the ability to mobilise and align the resources needed to implement that strategy.

The following three strategies - ideological, political and strategic encirclement - are classic subversion techniques. Their aim is to restrict, weaken and ultimately overthrow the powers that be.

  1. Ideological encirclement: This approach seeks to counter the opponent's ideas by proposing a different, often more attractive or convincing, framework of thought. The aim is to win people's support and isolate the opponent by depriving them of their ideological support.
  2. Political encirclement: This strategy aims to influence, control or neutralise key political players, such as legislators, civil servants, opinion leaders or even the media. The aim is to limit the opponent's ability to make decisions and take action.
  3. Strategic encirclement: This involves creating a hostile environment for the adversary, which may involve mobilising resources, imposing economic sanctions or even military action. The aim is to restrict the opponent's ability to function effectively.

These three types of encirclement can be used independently or together, depending on the situation and the specific objectives. However, it should be noted that they all involve a degree of conflict and may result in resistance from the adversary.

Subversion is a strategy or series of tactics designed to weaken an opponent by bringing about change, often from within. This strategy is not limited to the use of brute force, although this may be part of the approach in some cases. Subversive actions can include activities designed to undermine the authority, morale, cohesion or credibility of the adversary. Subversion can take many forms, from disinformation and propaganda to creating internal dissension, mobilising the population or exploiting existing divisions. The aim of these tactics is often to change the power structures in place, to force the adversary to change its behaviour, or to alter the status quo in favour of the group carrying out the subversive actions. In the context of a struggle for power or control, subversion can be a powerful tool. It is a means of exerting influence or pressure without resorting to direct confrontation or violence. However, because of its indirect and often clandestine nature, subversion can be difficult to detect and counter, making it a potentially very effective strategy for those seeking to bring about change.

Roger Mucchielli was a French psychosociologist and philosopher who was born in Marseille on 11 March 1919 and died on 29 May 1983. He is best known for his work on the psychosociology of organisations and communication. Mucchielli contributed to a wide variety of fields, including education, psychology and philosophy. He trained in philosophy and psychology at the Sorbonne, where he studied under such eminent figures as Gaston Bachelard and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Later, he turned to the study of psychosociology, contributing to the emergence of this discipline in France. His most notable contributions include his analysis of interpersonal and group communication, his work on group dynamics and his thoughts on leadership. He is the author of numerous books on these subjects, including "La dynamique des groupes" and "Le travail en équipe". He has also developed the concept of "subversion", defined as an attempt to overthrow an existing power structure by clandestine and often indirect means. He analysed the techniques of subversion and their use in various contexts, including political and social conflict. Over the course of his career, Mucchielli has held a number of academic posts, including director of research at the CNRS and professor at the University of Paris X-Nanterre. He has also been active in the field of professional training, particularly in communication and leadership in organisations.

In his work, Roger Mucchielli identifies three main issues or objectives in subversion, each associated with specific techniques and justified by the nature of the conflict involved:

  1. Demoralising the target nation: This involves undermining the morale, unity and coherence of a nation or specific group, often through disinformation or propaganda campaigns designed to sow doubt and mistrust. Demoralisation can weaken a nation's resilience, making it more vulnerable to other forms of subversion.
  2. Discrediting authority: This involves efforts to discredit leaders or institutions in positions of authority. This can be done through communication campaigns that present the opponent as a threat, highlight their failures or exploit their controversies to diminish public confidence in them.
  3. Neutralising the masses: This aims to prevent popular support for the regime in power. For example, by manipulating public opinion through disinformation or propaganda, or by creating divisions within the population to weaken its support for the existing authority.

In all these cases, subversion is a form of psychological warfare, which can be employed insidiously and often under the radar. Although these tactics may be non-violent in themselves, they can also trigger or amplify violence if necessary, making subversion potentially very destabilising.

The media play a crucial role in the subversion process, as they are often used to influence public opinion. The propagation of information, whether accurate or manipulated, through the media can shape people's perceptions and direct their attitudes and beliefs. Subversion can be seen as a kind of "staging" where information is presented in such a way as to support a certain point of view or cause. For example, certain information may be highlighted while others are omitted or distorted, creating a certain image of reality that may not correspond to the actual situation. With the advent of social networks and digital platforms, the ability to disseminate information quickly and widely has been greatly amplified. These tools can be used effectively to influence public opinion, either for good by raising awareness of important issues, or for ill by spreading disinformation or propaganda.

The manipulation of information and the construction of a specific reality can lead to the erosion of trust in a regime or authority and the creation of an environment conducive to opposition and dissent. In some cases, this can be done by amplifying existing problems, distorting reality, or creating new information that incites discontent or dissent. This technique is often used in politics to discredit opponents or to generate support for a particular cause. While this strategy can be effective in the short term, it can have harmful long-term consequences, including misinformation, increased polarisation, erosion of trust in institutions and increased social instability.

Subversion is a powerful tool for influencing and changing the political landscape. It is used to create change within a political system by attacking its power structures and ideological foundations. By exploiting internal tensions, political disagreements and social inequalities, subversion movements seek to destabilise and eventually overthrow existing political regimes. These actions can take many forms, ranging from propaganda and disinformation to incitement to civil disobedience, as well as more direct and potentially violent activities. Despite its potential to bring about change, civil disobedience is not without its risks. It can lead to civil unrest, political instability and even violence. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the system that emerges from subversion will be better or fairer than the previous system. Ultimately, subversion is a complex and potentially dangerous tool for change, and its use must be carefully considered in the light of its potential repercussions.

Contemporary Renaissance of Protest: New Paradigms and Actors[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

The Counter-Power : A Redefinition of the Concept[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Du contre pouvoir.png

The concept of counter-power is central to modern political theory. It is the idea that there must exist in a society groups or institutions capable of checking, balancing or challenging the power of the established authorities. These checks and balances can take many forms, including the media, the courts, trade unions, civil rights groups, or even broader social movements. Over the past twenty years, we have seen an upsurge in protest movements, often supported by modern technologies such as social media, which have transformed the way counter-powers can organise and act. For example, movements such as the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, the Gilets Jaunes in France and the Black Lives Matter movement in the US have all demonstrated how modern technologies can enable groups of citizens to challenge power and aspire to social and political change. These modern counter-powers have the ability to mobilise large groups of people quickly, disseminate information and maintain an open dialogue with the public. This enables them to exert pressure on the established authorities and to oppose policies or practices that they deem unjust. However, these movements also face many challenges, particularly in terms of internal cohesion, defining clear objectives, and resisting repression or co-option by the established authorities. The rise of modern counter-powers has profoundly transformed the contemporary political landscape, providing new opportunities for contestation and change, but also presenting new challenges and uncertainties.

Miguel Benasayag and Diego Sztulwark's book "Du Contre-pouvoir", published in 2000, offers an in-depth reflection on the evolution of forms of struggle and contestation in contemporary society. In this book, the authors suggest that the traditional dynamic of counter-power, based on the idea of direct confrontation with the established authorities in the hope of overthrowing or reforming them, may have lost its relevance in the current context. They argue that in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, where power is no longer concentrated in one place but is diffuse and spread across multiple networks and institutions, traditional strategies of confrontation may prove ineffective. Instead, Benasayag and Sztulwark propose the idea of a 'multitude' of micro-struggles, which seek less to seize power than to create spaces of autonomy and resistance within the existing system. These micro-struggles can take many different forms, from involvement in local community projects to participation in large-scale social movements. While this approach can open up new possibilities for resistance and action, it also raises many questions and challenges, particularly in terms of coordination and coherence between different struggles, as well as their ability to resist co-option or repression by the forces of established power. "Du Contre-pouvoir offers an interesting and provocative perspective on the dilemmas and potentialities of political struggle in the contemporary world.

In the 1970s, the dominant approach to political and social struggles was mainly guided by comprehensive and coherent ideologies. Collective action was widely understood as an attempt to seize central power in order to implement a comprehensive ideological programme, often geared towards a radical transformation of society. However, in the light of the relative failure of these approaches - partly due to the co-option of activists by the institutions they sought to transform, but also due to the challenges inherent in achieving large-scale social change - a new generation of activists has emerged, adopting a different approach. These modern activists tend to favour decentralised action, rooted in local communities and focused on concrete, specific issues. Rather than seeking to take control of existing institutions, they seek to create new spaces for autonomy and resistance within the system, through initiatives such as co-operatives, self-help groups, community gardens, independent media and so on. This reflects a growing recognition that today's global problems - such as climate change, economic inequality and the refugee crisis - are largely the result of past failures and cannot be solved simply by seizing central power. Instead, they require a multitude of local responses, tailored to the specific conditions of each community, but linked together by networks of solidarity and cooperation.

The paradox is that we can no longer hide behind grand ideologies for change, but we can no longer have grand programmes, which allow us to have projects and to be more active within society and in bringing about change. In this new order of things, the transformation of society is no longer based on adherence to a complete and coherent ideological programme, but rather on a series of specific and concrete projects that reflect the needs and aspirations of particular communities. This change can have several advantages. On the one hand, it may allow greater flexibility and adaptability in developing responses to social problems. Rather than trying to force the complex and diverse reality of society to conform to a predefined ideological vision, this approach allows the variety of local situations to be taken into account and solutions to be developed that are tailored to these specific situations. On the other hand, this approach can also encourage greater participation and deeper involvement by ordinary citizens in the processes of social transformation. Rather than feeling alienated by abstract and distant ideological discourse, individuals can feel more involved and invested in projects that directly affect their daily lives.

How can political effectiveness be achieved? Wouldn't it lie elsewhere than in subversion?

A recent trend in political and social thought emphasises local mobilisation and the development of alternative forms of power as a means of social transformation. From this perspective, counter-power is understood not as a force that directly opposes or attempts to overthrow existing power, but rather as a force that seeks to build new forms of power from below, often on the margins or outside the traditional structures of political power. This approach can include actions such as creating autonomous communities, setting up alternative economic systems, promoting popular education, and organising social movements around specific issues. However, this type of strategy is not without its own challenges and contradictions. For example, it can be difficult to avoid interaction with traditional power structures altogether, and there can be tensions between the need to preserve the autonomy of local initiatives and the need to build broader alliances to address issues on a national or global scale. Furthermore, while the development of local counter-powers can represent an important route to social change, it is also important not to underestimate the potential for resistance from existing power structures. In many cases, these structures may be able to resist or suppress counter-power efforts, or even co-opt or absorb such efforts to their own advantage. Finally, it should be remembered that building a counterweight is a long-term process that requires sustained commitment and solid organisation. It is not simply a question of sporadic mobilisations or isolated protests, but of ongoing work to build new power relations and transform existing social structures.

The issue of violence in a protest movement is complex and ambiguous. Often, groups facing systemic and institutionalised oppression feel obliged to resort to violence to make themselves heard, believing that this is the only way to draw attention to their demands. This raises a series of moral and ethical questions. On the one hand, it can be argued that the use of violence by oppressed groups is a legitimate response to the institutional violence they suffer. This perspective is largely influenced by theorists such as Frantz Fanon, who saw violence as a way for the colonised to regain their humanity in the face of the dehumanising violence of colonialism. On the other hand, there are strong arguments against the use of violence in protest movements. Some argue that violence is inherently immoral, regardless of the circumstances. Others point to the harmful practical consequences of violence: it can reinforce existing prejudices, alienate potential supporters, and give the authorities a pretext for suppressing the movement. Figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi have advocated non-violence as a more effective and ethical strategy for achieving social change.

The notions of violence and non-violence are not always clearly defined. Violence can take many forms, from direct physical violence to structural or symbolic violence. Similarly, non-violence does not simply mean the absence of violence, but often involves active and committed resistance. The issue of violence in protest movements remains an open question, subject to ongoing debate. Each situation is unique and requires careful analysis of the specific circumstances, the objectives of the movement, and the potential consequences of different strategies of action.

According to Marxist precepts, a proletarian revolution - often involving a degree of violence - is seen as necessary to overthrow the existing capitalist order and establish a more equitable society. However, there is an inherent tension between the pursuit of a better world - characterised by greater equality, justice and mutual respect - and the use of violence to achieve this goal. Many Marxist and socialist thinkers and activists have sought non-violent means of achieving radical societal change. For example, the concept of a "cultural revolution" implies a profound transformation of society's values and attitudes, which can potentially be achieved without physical violence. At the same time, there is a growing need to rethink strategies for action and activism. Contemporary protest movements are increasingly focused on local and grassroots action, working to build alternatives within existing structures rather than overthrowing those structures through violence. These movements often seek to challenge and disrupt the dominant social order through forms of direct action, civil disobedience, advocacy and cultural resistance. They also focus on creating new forms of community and social organisation that are more inclusive, egalitarian and sustainable. While the issue of violence continues to be a subject of debate and controversy within protest movements, there is also a wide range of non-violent strategies and approaches available to those seeking to transform society in a more egalitarian way.

Benasayag's book highlights an important shift in the nature of social protest. He argues that we are witnessing a shift away from traditional trade unionism - which generally focuses on defending the specific interests of a particular group of workers - towards a broader form of societal protest. In this new paradigm of social struggle, activists seek to challenge and transform the dominant structures and ideologies of society as a whole, rather than focusing solely on narrower issues of work and employment. This means that they can potentially have a wider and deeper impact, as they seek to change not only specific policies and practices, but also people's patterns of thinking and attitudes. This also has important implications for the way in which these movements organise and act. Instead of relying primarily on institutional structures such as trade unions, they can adopt more flexible and decentralised forms of organisation, and use a variety of tactics, including direct action, civil disobedience, public awareness and education, and the creation of concrete alternatives to existing systems. Benasayag's concept of "counter-power" is particularly relevant in this context. Instead of seeking to take control of existing power, protest movements aim to create a new kind of power - one that emanates from below and is rooted in the active participation and autonomy of individuals and communities. This has the potential to offer a more democratic and egalitarian way of transforming society.

The New Civic Movements: Dynamics and Impacts of Modern Protest[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

Ulrich Beck, an influential German sociologist, is best known for his work on the 'risk society'. In "Power and counter-power in a globalised world", he examines the evolution of power in a globalised world. Beck analyses the transformation of political power on a global scale. He highlights the increase in the power of multinationals and non-state actors, along with the relative decline in the power of nation states. He also observes the development of what he calls 'global counter-power', which brings together social movements, NGOs, protest movements and other forms of activism that seek to challenge and reform the current global system. According to Beck, these movements constitute a form of cosmopolitan democracy that opposes authoritarianism and injustice on a global scale. Finally, Beck argues that globalisation has created a new type of risk - risks that are fundamentally incalculable and unpredictable, and that can have devastating consequences on a global scale. He therefore proposes a new form of policy, which he calls 'risk management policy', which focuses on preventing, minimising and managing these global risks. "Power and Counter-Power in a Globalised World offers a provocative and in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities of politics in a globalised world. It suggests that despite the considerable challenges we face, there are also opportunities for a new political engagement and a new kind of democracy that could rise to these challenges.

In "Power and counter-power in a globalised world", Ulrich Beck proposes the concept of "methodological cosmopolitanism" as a new tool for understanding and analysing social phenomena in an increasingly globalised society. Methodological cosmopolitanism is an approach that invites us to look beyond the national framework when analysing social, political or economic phenomena. Instead of focusing solely on national borders and cultural differences, this approach encourages us to take into account the interactions, interdependencies and exchanges that take place on a global scale. In other words, methodological cosmopolitanism seeks to reveal how global processes shape local realities and vice versa. According to Beck, the age of globalisation is forcing us to rethink traditional forms of social protest. Social movements are no longer just national, but transnational, and the issues they address are often global in scope, such as climate change, economic inequality, or human rights. In this way, Beck suggests that traditional forms of social and political struggle need to be revisited in the light of this new paradigm. The new forms of protest must be built on a scale that goes beyond national borders, because it is on this scale that the major problems of our time are now posed.

In today's globalised society, cultural, ethnic and national differences rub shoulders and mix in an unprecedented way, creating a kind of global cosmopolitanism. This is largely facilitated by technological advances, particularly in the fields of information and communication, which enable the rapid dissemination and exchange of information without borders. This phenomenon is often associated with globalisation and the digital revolution. People, information and goods can cross borders with unprecedented ease. This has led to greater interconnection and interdependence between people, cultures and economies around the world. However, while cosmopolitanism can be seen as a positive sign of global openness and interconnectedness, it also raises significant challenges. These include the management of cultural diversity, growing inequalities, the protection of human rights on a global scale, and the preservation of the environment. The concept of 'methodological cosmopolitanism' proposed by Ulrich Beck aims precisely to take account of these challenges, by proposing a new tool for understanding and analysing social phenomena in the age of globalisation. By adopting this approach, we can better grasp the complexity and interdependence of global problems, and find more effective and equitable solutions.

Ulrich Beck argues that we have entered an era of 'cosmopolitanism', in which globalised society is radically transforming the way we think and interact. In his view, this process of globalisation is leading to the 'depoliticisation' of the nation-state, meaning that political issues now transcend national boundaries and have become global. This is leading to an 'infrapolitisation' of society, where questions of policy and governance are decided at a global, sometimes even transnational, level. In this context, the nation state is no longer the only major political player. Other players, such as international organisations, multinational companies, NGOs and even individuals, are playing an increasingly important role on the world stage. This is leading to a cosmopolitan global society, where cultural differences are integrated and we realise that we are all part of the same world. This new reality also poses new challenges. For example, how can we ensure fair representation of all stakeholders in global decision-making? How can we protect the rights of individuals and communities in the face of the power of multinational companies and nation states? How can we manage cultural and political conflicts in an increasingly diverse and interconnected society? Beck invites us to reflect on these questions and to seek new ways of waging social struggle in the context of global cosmopolitanism.

According to Ulrich Beck and other globalisation theorists, the traditional concept of the nation state is being challenged in an increasingly interconnected world. The nation state, as we know it, was formed in the context of an international system in which each state had sovereign control over its territory and the ability to act independently on the international stage. However, globalisation has overturned this configuration. With the expansion of world trade, instant communications, transnational capital flows and international migration, many challenges and problems have transcended national borders and require international solutions. Issues such as climate change, global poverty, pandemics, international terrorism and cybercrime are examples of challenges that cannot be solved by a single state acting alone. In this context, the authority and power of the nation-state to regulate these problems is being called into question. Hence the idea of the 'depoliticisation' of the nation state. It is not that nation states have become insignificant, but rather that their role and function have changed. They are now engaged in a complex series of interactions with other actors, including non-state actors, within the framework of global governance.

The growing interdependence of nations and the development of globalisation have given rise to a series of global challenges that transcend national borders. These cosmopolitical challenges require collective action on a global scale. Here are a few examples:

  • Poverty: Despite the progress made in recent decades, poverty remains a major global problem. Income inequalities are increasing and extreme poverty persists in many countries. Fighting poverty requires coordinated efforts to stimulate economic development, improve access to education and guarantee human rights.
  • Risks: Many risks, such as financial crises, pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime, are global in nature. Managing these risks requires close international cooperation.
  • Inequalities: Despite global economic growth, inequalities persist and, in some cases, are increasing. Inequalities in wealth, education, health and life chances are worrying and require global attention and action.
  • Global warming: Climate change is arguably the most pressing cosmopolitical challenge of our time. The impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and loss of biodiversity, are being felt around the world. Tackling climate change requires collective action on a global scale to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In this context, the role of politics is not disappearing, but it is changing. Governments, international organisations, businesses, NGOs and citizens are all called upon to play a role in managing these global challenges.

The emergence of the cosmopolitan society and global challenges raises complex and unprecedented issues that require a new way of thinking and acting. Traditional paradigms based on national sovereignty and the nation-state are being called into question, as they are no longer sufficient to solve today's problems. These global challenges transcend national borders and require international cooperation on an unprecedented scale. They call for a rethink of our concept of governance, requiring multilateral and multi-sectoral approaches, involving a multitude of actors, from governments and international organisations to businesses, NGOs, civil society groups and ordinary citizens. Furthermore, the complexity of these challenges requires an interdisciplinary approach, where different branches of knowledge - from the social sciences to the natural sciences and the humanities - need to work together to come up with viable solutions. Finally, there is a need to develop new structures and institutions capable of managing these problems on a global scale. The question of power and authority in this cosmopolitan society is becoming complex, as it has to be shared and negotiated between many actors at different levels - local, national, regional and global. We are facing a period of profound change and reinvention. The challenge is to create new forms of cooperation, governance and power adapted to this globalised and interconnected reality.

Ulrich Beck proposes a reinterpretation of the concept of the state and politics in the age of globalisation. In his view, the state and politics need to be rethought to take account of the global challenges facing our society. In this sense, the new struggles are no longer limited to the class struggle, but also concern transnational and global issues such as the environment, social and economic justice, human rights, etc. These struggles manifest themselves in a variety of ways. These struggles manifest themselves in a variety of ways, ranging from product boycotts to environmental policies and advocacy for equal rights. From this perspective, the conflict has not disappeared, but it has been transformed. It has moved from the national to the international stage, and has taken on new forms, going beyond the old methods of political mobilisation. This is a major change, because it means that the struggle for change is no longer confined within the borders of one state, but extends to the whole of global society. This implies a new way of thinking about political engagement and the struggle for social change, which goes beyond national borders and is based on global solidarity and collective action. This paradigm shift poses major challenges in terms of coordination, cooperation and conflict management on a global scale. It also calls for a new understanding of power and governance structures adapted to this globalised reality. It is important to understand that this cosmopolitical philosophical position will be able to take a considerable step forward, because all the barriers have been removed. Tomorrow's challenges are not about state sovereignty.

Cosmopolitan protest, in the context of globalisation, has given rise to new forms of activism that transcend national borders. Increasingly, social movements are no longer confined to a single country, but involve a coalition of actors scattered across the globe, joining forces to tackle global challenges. A notable example of this new activism is the emergence of what might be called "movements of the voiceless". These groups, which can include people who are homeless, unemployed, undocumented, etc., are often marginalised within their own societies. However, as part of cosmopolitical protest, these groups mobilise and form alliances to defend their rights and interests. These "have-nots" are what are often referred to as "active minorities" in protest movements. Despite their marginal status, these groups can have a significant impact on policies and practices, both nationally and internationally. These new forms of protest demonstrate that globalisation, despite its challenges, also offers new opportunities for political engagement and social change. Whereas traditional forms of political mobilisation can be limited to some extent by national borders, cosmopolitan protest allows marginalised groups to make their voices heard on a much larger scale.

Faced with the global and transnational issues of our time, traditional forms of protest can appear insufficient or outdated. These forms of protest, generally based on corporatist or sectoral demands, are designed to operate within the borders of a nation state. They often focus on issues specific to a group of individuals (such as a particular professional class) and seek to put pressure on the government of their country to bring about political or social change. However, in the face of challenges such as climate change, global poverty, global economic inequality and other transnational issues, these forms of protest can seem limited. These challenges require coordinated action on an international scale and cannot be fully addressed by actions at national level alone. This is why we are seeing the emergence of new forms of protest that seek to transcend national borders and mobilise around global causes. These cosmopolitan protest movements, as Ulrich Beck has called them, seek to influence decisions and policies at a level beyond the national, often involving non-state actors such as international organisations, NGOs and multinational companies. Through this approach, they hope to be able to deal more effectively with the global challenges of our time.

New generations have adopted new methods of social and political mobilisation, often in response to pressing global issues that threaten their future, such as climate change or rising inequality. Many young people are increasingly involved in activist and protest movements that go beyond national borders. For example, the "Fridays for Future" movement initiated by Greta Thunberg has mobilised thousands of young people around the world to demand action on climate change. In addition, young people are increasingly using digital media and social networks to organise themselves and make their voices heard. These tools enable them to quickly mobilise large numbers of people, share information and raise public awareness of their causes. These new forms of action are transforming the modalities of protest and dissent, and could have a profound impact on the way political and social decisions are made in the future.

Modes of action for social and political protest have evolved, and several social groups play an important role in this renewal.

  • Young people: As mentioned above, young people are often at the forefront of protest movements, particularly on issues such as climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice. They use digital platforms to mobilise and coordinate, and are often willing to mobilise outside the traditional structures of politics.
  • Active women: Women have played a leading role in many recent protest movements, such as the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, or the women's marches to defend women's rights. More and more women are also taking up leadership positions in social and political movements.
  • The middle class: The middle class can be an important driver of social and political change, especially when faced with economic pressures or diminishing prospects. For example, in many countries, the middle class has been at the forefront of protests against economic inequality and social injustice.
  • Those with a high level of cultural capital: People with a high level of cultural capital - i.e. a thorough knowledge of the arts, literature, music, history, etc. - can play a crucial role in mobilising people to take action. - can play a crucial role in social mobilisation. They can use their influence to raise awareness of important issues, mobilise others, and challenge conventional wisdom.

These diverse social groups contribute to the richness and diversity of contemporary forms of protest, which can reinforce their impact and relevance in an increasingly diverse and globalised society.

In today's society, community involvement has evolved considerably. It is no longer necessarily a question of aligning oneself with a defined ideology or political programme, but rather of choosing a specific cause that resonates with our personal values and convictions. This dynamic reflects a wider change in the way people interact with politics and society. People see themselves less and less as passive members of a political, social or ideological group, and more and more as autonomous actors capable of making informed choices about the issues that affect them most. In this context, associations play a key role in providing a space where people can express their individuality while working collectively towards common goals. Associations enable people to get involved in specific causes - be it the environment, social justice, education, health or other issues - and to work actively to resolve them. For example, someone who cares deeply about the environment might choose to get involved in an environmental association. They can help organise events, lobby policy-makers, raise public awareness of the cause, and make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change. This form of community involvement reflects a profound change in the way people engage with politics and society. It reflects a move towards more individual, autonomous engagement focused on specific causes, rather than on defined ideologies or political agendas.

The democratisation of access to information and the rise of social media have radically transformed the public arena and the ways in which social mobilisation takes place. We are witnessing the emergence of a form of direct democracy, where instant communication and the possibility of decentralised collective action are more accessible than ever. Action forums have been revitalised, enabling groups of citizens to mobilise rapidly around issues that affect them directly. Social media, in particular, have a crucial role to play in this process. They provide a platform for disseminating information, sharing views and organising collective action on a scale and with a speed that would have been unimaginable a few decades ago. This immediacy also has consequences for the way in which mobilisations are perceived and reported. Events are relayed in real time, often by the participants themselves, which can have a significant impact on the visibility of the cause and on the pressure exerted on political decision-makers. However, it should be noted that this direct democracy and immediacy also present challenges. It is more difficult to maintain consistency and continuity in discourse and action, and it is also easier to spread incorrect or misleading information. Moreover, the immediacy and speed of information dissemination can also lead to a form of information overload, making it difficult for the public to engage meaningfully with all the issues before them.

We are currently witnessing an upsurge in community activism in many industrialised countries. This form of activism is often based on pragmatic action and a desire to participate quickly and effectively in social debates, without being crushed by the weight of traditional mobilisation structures. Associations enable individuals to become actively involved in causes that are close to their hearts. Unlike traditional political structures, which can be perceived as being far removed from the day-to-day concerns of citizens, associations are often able to respond to issues that are closer to the reality experienced by their members. What's more, associative activism offers great flexibility. It allows individuals to choose causes that are in line with their convictions and day-to-day concerns. This ability to choose is important in an age marked by a multitude of social and environmental issues. Choosing to focus on a specific cause can give meaning to one's commitment and make one feel that one is having a concrete impact. This rise in community activism is also accompanied by challenges, particularly in terms of the coordination and sustainability of the actions taken. What's more, not all associations have the same resources or the same ability to make themselves heard, which can create inequalities in the representation of different issues.

We are also witnessing the emergence of counter-expertise, often carried out by citizens' groups, associations, non-governmental organisations or independent academics. These players are striving to produce alternative knowledge and propose intermediate solutions to societal problems, in response to proposals made by the powers that be or by lobbies. These counter-experts play a crucial role in public debate. They often bring new and different perspectives to bear on complex issues, they question established knowledge, and they highlight the vested interests that can influence certain political or economic decisions. This form of activism, based on expertise and information, helps to rebalance the balance of power by giving greater weight to voices that would otherwise be marginalised. It also acts as a counterweight to the influence of lobbies, which often have considerable resources at their disposal to assert their interests. Counter-expertise also poses challenges, particularly in terms of credibility and legitimacy. To be effective, it must be based on rigorous and transparent methods, and it must be able to withstand criticism. In addition, as with any form of activism, it must find ways of making itself heard in an often crowded public arena.

New forms of activism and social action have evolved and diversified considerably. These new methods are often aimed at drawing the attention of the public and the media to specific issues and raising wider awareness. They also seek to highlight the limitations and inadequacies of existing institutional arrangements. These unconventional actions can take a number of forms, from spectacular demonstrations (sometimes known as "fist actions") to direct action, hacktivism or "name and shame" (which consists of making public the reprehensible actions of companies or governments). These new forms of activism often seek to be innovative and creative in order to maximise their impact and visibility. They also rely on new technologies and social media to spread their messages and mobilise the public.

The rise of the Internet has radically transformed the ways in which people engage in social protest. It has made previously unknown or ignored issues visible, and has given everyone the opportunity to make their voices heard, share information and mobilise public opinion on an unprecedented scale. The Internet offers tools for creating, organising and disseminating information or protest campaigns on a global scale, almost in real time. This gives activists a much greater capacity for action and influence, and enables them to bypass traditional media and institutional structures, which are often perceived as being too slow, too bureaucratic or too aligned with the powers that be. This democratisation of information and activism has led to the emergence of an international counter-power, fuelled by public opinion and capable of challenging governments and big business. Social media platforms have become major forums for public debate, mobilisation and action. This movement has also helped to marginalise trade unions and other traditional forms of collective representation, which may find it difficult to adapt to these new modes of action and new communication tools. This raises important questions about the evolution of forms of social struggle in the digital age and the role of trade unions and other traditional players in this new landscape.

In this new environment, social mobilisation has become much more reactive and rapid. Thanks to the internet and social networks, it is now possible to launch a mobilisation campaign in a matter of hours, or even minutes, and reach a global audience.

These mobilisations are characterised by their ability to be organised horizontally, without recourse to institutional or hierarchical structures. Individuals can mobilise around an issue or cause that affects them directly, and can act autonomously, without waiting for the endorsement or support of a political party, trade union or other organisation. This dynamic creates a form of direct democracy, in which each individual can express his or her opinion and act to defend it. However, it can also pose problems in terms of coordination, sustainability and representativeness. These mobilisations are often reactive and short-lived, which can make it difficult to bring about lasting change. In addition, the fact that each individual can choose his or her own cause can lead to fragmentation of collective action and a concentration of attention on certain issues to the detriment of others. Finally, the absence of formal structures can pose problems of representativeness and legitimacy, particularly in terms of decision-making and defining demands.

The phenomenon of mobilisation around the "without" - i.e. people who are deprived or marginalised - has grown enormously with the rise of social networks and the internet. It reflects a more emotional commitment, a form of humanitarianism that places compassion, solidarity and empathy at the heart of action. Movements such as "Sans-Papiers", "Sans-Abri" and "Sans-Terre" are examples of these mobilisations. These groups seek to draw attention to the social, economic and political injustices and inequalities of which they are victims. This "emotional humanitarianism" plays on people's feelings to mobilise them. Shocking or moving images and stories are widely disseminated to arouse indignation, compassion or empathy, and thus incite action. However, this approach can also be criticised. Some believe that emotional humanitarianism risks reducing complex problems to matters of sentiment, and obscuring the real political, economic or social issues at stake. What's more, this approach can sometimes lead to a form of selective compassion, where only certain causes or certain victims are taken into account.

The new protest movements are made up of different groups, each bringing its own perspective and experience.

  • People in situations of suffering: This group includes people directly affected by the problems the movement is fighting against. They may, for example, be people living in poverty, or victims of discrimination or social injustice. These individuals may be the most passionate and determined in the movement, because they are fighting for their own well-being and that of their loved ones.
  • Activists in "sans" associations: These individuals are often highly politicised and involved in the movement. They may be volunteers, long-term activists or people who have joined the movement because of their personal convictions. They play a crucial role in organising and coordinating the movement, and are often behind awareness-raising campaigns, demonstrations and other actions.
  • Resource persons: These are individuals who bring specific skills, knowledge or resources to the movement. They may be lawyers, researchers, media professionals, celebrities or anyone whose contribution can strengthen the movement. These people often help to develop strategies, establish links with other organisations or gain visibility in the media.

These three groups are all essential to the success of a protest movement. Together, they form a powerful coalition that can challenge the status quo and work for meaningful social change.

One notable example of these new protest movements is alterglobalism. This movement is characterised by its resistance to neo-liberal economic globalisation and its advocacy of a fairer and more sustainable model of global development. Altermondialists call for a world where social, environmental and justice concerns are at the heart of political and economic decision-making.

The anti-globalisation struggle has distinguished itself by its ability to publicise itself and use the media to promote its causes. Here are some of the strategies used by this movement to maximise its visibility:

  • Use of social networks and the internet: Anti-globalisation activists actively use digital media to share information, organise events and mobilise supporters. The Internet has made it easier to organise coordinated actions on a global scale and has enabled the movement's messages to be disseminated more widely.
  • Direct action and spectacular demonstrations: anti-globalisation activists are known for their mass demonstrations, sit-ins, blockades and other forms of direct action. These events often attract media attention, which helps to raise public awareness of their causes.
  • Cooperation with journalists and the media: The alter-globalisation movement maintains relations with the media to spread its message. Activists can organise press conferences, provide information to journalists, or even create their own media to control their narrative.
  • Lobbying and reporting: The movement uses data and research to support its demands. By producing detailed reports and holding conferences, this information can be presented more officially and attract the attention of political decision-makers.

The anti-globalisation movement's ability to make effective use of the media and to publicise itself has played a crucial role in its growth and influence.

Protest movements and social activism are often faced with this paradox. On the one hand, they need to attract the attention of the media and politicians in order to make their demands heard and achieve their objectives. On the other hand, they run the risk of being recuperated, co-opted or distorted by political institutions or other entities seeking to use their energy and mobilisation for their own ends.

There are several possible scenarios for political recuperation:

  1. Co-option: Political parties or governments may seek to incorporate the demands of a movement into their own programme or discourse, often watering down or modifying those demands to make them more acceptable to their electoral base.
  2. Neutralisation: The powers that be may try to neutralise a protest movement by absorbing it into institutional structures, offering its leaders positions or benefits that may dissuade them from continuing the struggle.
  3. Denaturing: The message and objectives of a movement can be distorted or misinterpreted, either intentionally by political opponents or unintentionally through misunderstanding or oversimplification.
  4. Instrumentalisation: A movement can be used as a tool by political actors who do not necessarily have a real interest in its demands, but who see in it an opportunity to gain support or discredit opponents.

These risks underline the importance of protest movements maintaining their autonomy and integrity, clarifying their objectives and values, and remaining vigilant against attempts at political recuperation.

The Internet plays a fundamental role in strengthening counter-power and promoting direct, participatory democracy. It facilitates access to and dissemination of information, enabling everyone to share their ideas and points of view, thereby reducing dependence on the traditional media. In addition, the Internet facilitates the rapid mobilisation of communities around specific issues, as illustrated by online petitions and activism on social networks. It also provides a platform for sharing expertise and knowledge, enabling the creation of counter-expertise capable of challenging institutional discourses. In addition, thanks to its ability to promote transparency and accountability, the Internet offers tools for monitoring institutions and holding them to account. Finally, by rapidly gathering citizen support, the Internet can influence the policies of governments, businesses and other institutions, bringing to the fore issues that are priorities for citizens and encouraging direct engagement in governance.

The Internet has the power to incite activism and bring about meaningful change in our institutions, by stimulating targeted conversation and action around issues that people consider to be priorities. It facilitates a rapid dynamic of exchange and information sharing, which can rapidly lead to collective awareness and coordinated action. This challenges traditional power structures, which are often slow to react or change, and strengthens society's ability to directly influence policies and institutional decisions. The rise of the Internet has given rise to an innovative form of direct democracy, characterised by its ability to produce effective results. By giving a voice to diverse online communities and fostering citizen engagement, this digital democracy is challenging traditional political parties, corporations and large international firms. The latter must now take account of these new voices and reconsider their priorities in the light of the concerns and demands expressed by these online communities. The power of this renewed form of democracy is such that it can influence decisions and policies on a massive scale, redefining the traditional political and economic landscape.

The Internet has greatly amplified the power to publicise problems and issues of general interest, forcing companies to pay attention and respond to current problems. This is a new dimension of corporate social responsibility, where companies must not only manage their own affairs, but also take into account the wider concerns of society. What's more, this capacity for large-scale mobilisation can sometimes obstruct or influence international debates, by emphasising specific points of view or highlighting hitherto neglected issues. This is a new form of citizen participation that changes the traditional dynamics of public and political debate.

Forecasting and Foresight: Are Future Conflicts Moving Towards a New Form of Subversion?[modifier | modifier le wikicode]

We may be witnessing the emergence of new forms of subversion and protest. With the growth of global connectivity and access to information, it is easier than ever for individuals and groups to organise and coordinate subversive actions. In addition, frustration and dissatisfaction with growing socio-economic inequalities, unresolved environmental problems and political dysfunction can fuel these protest movements. However, it is important to note that violence is not an inevitable feature of these renewed forms of subversion. While some groups may resort to violent methods to press their claims, others adopt peaceful strategies of resistance and protest, such as non-violent demonstrations, civil disobedience campaigns, or the use of social media to raise awareness and mobilise the public. So while we may see an intensification of conflict and tension as people fight for change, it is also possible that these conflicts will take new and innovative forms, which are not necessarily more violent, but which may be more disruptive, creative and focused on mobilising public opinion.

In certain fringes of the extreme left, there is a discourse that advocates a radicalisation of action and a reappropriation of subversion as a tool for social and political change. This can be seen as a response to what they see as the failure of traditional institutions to respond to current societal problems, including growing economic inequality, the climate crisis and the rise of the far right. However, these discourses are not representative of all currents of thought on the far left, which is in fact very diverse, and advocacy of a more radical or subversive approach does not necessarily mean support for violence. Subversion can take many forms, including non-violent actions aimed at disrupting the status quo and bringing about change. It is also crucial to recognise that radicalisation of discourse can have serious consequences, particularly if it leads to further polarisation of society and escalation of violence.

In some sections of society, particularly among radical left-wing groups, there is a tendency to reinterpret power relations in binary terms: those who oppress (generally perceived to be the political, economic and cultural elites) and those who are oppressed (marginalised groups, workers, minorities, etc.). This worldview is based on a profound critique of traditional liberal democracy, which these groups consider inadequate or flawed. They often argue that the current political system favours the elites to the detriment of the people, creating systemic inequalities. For some, this implies that we are not really living in a democracy, but rather in a kind of oligarchy or plutocracy in disguise. The call for subversion and the resurgence of ideas associated with urban guerrilla warfare can be interpreted as a reaction to the feelings of alienation and powerlessness felt by some in the face of what they perceive to be an unjust system. These individuals and groups argue that more conventional methods of protest and resistance, such as peaceful activism or political lobbying, are insufficient to bring about the societal change they desire. In this context, individual and collective action, even if it is contentious and potentially violent, is seen as a necessary means of paralysing and ultimately transforming the existing system.

Le groupe Tiqqun, qui s'est formé à la fin des années 1990, était une collective française radicale qui a publié divers textes théoriques sur la nature du pouvoir, du capitalisme et de la résistance dans les sociétés contemporaines. Tiqqun s'est concentré sur des questionnements philosophiques profonds et complexes, cherchant à déconstruire les structures de pouvoir existantes et à comprendre comment les formes de résistance et de subversion pourraient émerger. Cela implique une réflexion intensive, tant sur les conditions actuelles que sur les possibilités futures. Par exemple, ils se sont interrogés sur la nature de l'individu et de la collectivité, sur la manière dont le pouvoir est exercé et résisté, et sur la possibilité d'une transformation radicale de la société. En particulier, ils se sont intéressés à la manière dont les formes de pouvoir s'insinuent dans les aspects les plus intimes de nos vies, créant ce qu'ils appellent le "Biopouvoir".

The Tiqqun group is committed to a critical and subversive approach. Their aim was to examine and question the power structures in place and the mechanisms of oppression in society. They sought to demonstrate how these mechanisms are often hidden behind seemingly neutral or banal structures and practices, influencing our daily lives in profound and often invisible ways. By highlighting these forces, Tiqqun aimed to encourage wider awareness and resistance. Their work was therefore very much a form of intellectual subversion, aimed at destabilising established conceptions and practices and opening the way to new possibilities for thought and action.

Tiqqun's approach reflects their desire to escape traditional categories and classifications. Their work is often deliberately provocative, complex and open to multiple interpretations. By refusing to be easily defined, they have sought to challenge dominant assumptions and norms, while resisting any attempt to co-opt or simplify their ideas. The ambiguity of their work, far from being a weakness, is in fact an integral part of their subversive strategy. For example, by avoiding positioning themselves clearly within the traditional political spectrum, they have been able to avoid being easily labelled or delegitimised. This has enabled them to remain open to multiple points of view and to resist the tendency towards polarisation and essentialisation that often characterises political debate. In short, Tiqqun's approach illustrates how subversion can take forms that are not only direct and overt, but also indirect and subtle, challenging power structures not only through confrontation, but also through ambiguity, complexity and resistance to categorisation.

The feeling of an absence of solutions seems to be the result of growing frustration with the impression that the traditional political system is incapable of responding effectively to current challenges. When neither the left nor the right seem to offer convincing alternatives, some people may feel desperate and think that the only way to achieve change is by radical or even subversive means. This can lead to 'a coming insurgency', a wave of protest and radical resistance born of the feeling that the status quo is intolerable and that the current political system is incapable of providing viable solutions. This is a potentially unstable and unpredictable situation, where traditional forms of politics and civic engagement can be challenged and new movements and ideologies can emerge.

Faced with a sense of powerlessness and despair due to the absence of social solutions, some individuals or groups may be tempted to resort to more radical, even subversive, methods to bring about the change they feel is necessary. It is important to note that subversion and urban guerrilla warfare, often associated with violent acts of resistance, are generally seen as strategies of last resort when normal channels of social and political change are perceived to be ineffective or inaccessible. Reactualising urban guerrilla warfare" can mean using unconventional resistance tactics, ranging from civil disobedience to armed resistance, to disrupt the existing social and political order. However, these methods are generally controversial and can lead to major social and political conflict. Moreover, they may not produce the desired results and may even aggravate the social problems they seek to resolve.

An insurrection is coming because the present has no way out. No alternative seems possible on either the left or the right. If there are no social solutions, we are in a logic of despair, so we have to resort to subversion. So we need to revive urban guerrilla warfare. In contexts of deep social and political dissatisfaction, some may be tempted to revive the theories and practices of insurrection. The aim would be to disrupt or paralyse existing structures, often perceived as oppressive or unjust. However, these modern insurgent movements, while they may borrow tactics and strategies from the past, also tend to introduce innovations. For example, they may exploit digital technologies to coordinate actions, share information, mobilise support and highlight injustices. They may also adopt more decentralised and horizontal approaches to organisation and decision-making, as opposed to traditional hierarchical power structures.

There is a fundamental tension between radical protest movements and the conventional democratic framework. On the one hand, a functional democracy is supposed to provide avenues for discontent and social change through elections, lobbying, public debate and other forms of political participation. On the other hand, protest movements can develop when these conventional channels are perceived as inadequate, blocked or corrupt. They may seek to challenge existing power structures and bring about change more radically or rapidly than is possible within the conventional democratic process. This does not necessarily mean that they are undemocratic. Indeed, many see themselves as trying to extend or revitalise democracy, making it more participatory, inclusive or responsive to the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens. Some protest movements may seek to reform the system from within, while others may seek to disrupt or overthrow it. While some protest movements seek to promote more radical or expanded forms of democracy, others may have agendas that are actually anti-democratic. For example, they may seek to establish an undemocratic form of authority or control, or to impose their own values or ideologies without respect for the principles of pluralism and freedom of expression. Ultimately, whether and how protest movements can fit into a democracy depends very much on the specific contexts, objectives and strategies of these movements, as well as on how democracy itself is understood and practised.

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