La démocratie: Comme revendication et comme forme de vie

Abstract

An original form of political action has appeared in democratic regimes which takes place outside of the established channels of the representative system while claiming an extension of democracy. This article proposes to account for this phenomenon by showing how democracy can be conceived as a "form of life" - by reference to Wittgenstein's definition. It then shows the proximity of this notion with that of "situation" devised by Goffman. Finally, relying on Dewey's theses about inquiry, the article describes the practical content of democracy as form of life - aiming it promoting the autonomy of citizens and warranting pluralism of ways of living and thinking. The analysis reminds that in every State society, democracy achievement is a ceaseless process relying on the constant interweaving of two modes of conceptualization of democracy: as a system of representation and as form of life.