Who's afraid of the people? The debate between political agoraphobia and political agoraphilia. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dupuis-Déri,
• Is Part Of: Global discourse. Volume 8:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 238
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Marxism -- radical Left -- social transformation -- political agoraphobia -- political agoraphilia -- democracy -- anarchy -- domination -- freedom; International relations -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Civilization, Modern -- 21st century -- Periodicals; 320.01
• DOI: 10.1080/23269995.2018.1468607
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2326-9995

Abstract

Abstract : ABSTRACT Do the people have the political capacity to rule themselves, or do they need to be ruled by an elite for 'the common good'? In order to clarify this question, I introduce two concepts: political agoraphobia and political agoraphilia. I begin by briefly explaining the tension between two attitudes toward the people: love and fear. I then systematically set out the arguments and counter-arguments on both sides of the controversy. The debate seems to end up in a rhetorical deadlock, since both the people and the elite may be seen as irrational, vulnerable to demagoguery, and factious. I therefore suggest that what is mainly at stake is not to demonstrate whether the people are to be trusted or not with regard to their political capacities. What is at stake, rather, is the recognition that this debate subsumes a fundamental political struggle between the desire for domination and the desire for egalitarian freedom, as well as the willingness to acknowledge the philosophical significance of democratic and popular political experiences.