Hiérarchie et similitude

Abstract

The mechanism of representation has been central to the configuration of modern political society. This article proposes to track the trajectory of this notion in the western political dimension. It begins by analysing the conditions in which the notion emerged. We show that it was introduced to counteract the model of downward legitimacy, itself bearing on what Caude Lefort called the politics of incarnation, without however being a question of totally abandoning a hierarchical ethos. It then goes on to examine its contemporary loss of credibility. In so doing we look at the «new forms of politics» so as to understand the way in which egalitarian principles undermine hierarchical rationales of representation.

Keywords

• religion
• political representation
• historical evolution
• legitimacy
• present time
• power