Les ambiguïtés de la reconnaissance.

Abstract

Any recognition process is marked by a struggle in terms of meanings : by definition, it confronts different statements and definitional procedures, either during mobilisations, or claims, granting or else acquisition of recognition. Among these recognition practices, how can we distinguish the emancipatory experiences from those producing, on the contrary, competition, minorisation or subordination ? Answering this question arises ambiguities at several levels. The two authors address them on the basis of a field research conducted between 2012 and 2017, where the recognition of minorised identities was at stake. This research investigated the socio-historical dynamics regarding the implementation of OSIM, Migrant International Solidarity Organisations, and their national umbrella organisation called FORIM, Forum of Migrant International Solidarity Organisations. This case study allows for considering on the one hand the ambiguous formulations of migrant organisations claims for recognition which the authors consider as visibility struggles. On the other hand, it contributes to a renewed analysis on French democratic public space answers and access to political recognition. Stressing the current permanence of a universalist republicain ideology, the article examines the frontier between ideological and emancipatory forms of recognition. It proves that even an ambiguous recognition process, characterized by categorizations and essentialist civil society practices can pave the way for relevant political representation changes, and renewed forms of democratic debate.

Keywords

• recognition
• visibility struggles
• discrimination
• minorities
• migrant organisations
• stigma