Acteurs et mouvements sociaux - séance 3

MUNICIPAL LIBERTIES IN 19TH CENTURY WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICAL ACTIVISM AND DISCOURSE

Pamela RADCLIFF, University of California, San Diego

Jeanne MOISAND, Université de Paris I

 A Spanish Commune. The 1873 Canton of Cartagena

The classic narrative of European politics in the 19 th century focuses on the increasing nationalization of politics and identity. In this version of a modernization narrative, local politics and
affiliations became less relevant as the scale of political organization expanded and centralized. This seminar analyzes the counter-hegemonic political discourse that defended different versions of decentralized political formations, particularly those founded on municipal liberties. In the debates over the territorial organization of the political community in the 19th century, the defense of municipal autonomy was embraced as an alternative to centralized states, an alternative that would promote citizen participation and limit state tyranny. The municipalist thread in 19th century European politics has not been sufficiently recognized or incorporated into broader political narratives.

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