Research directions
Political Activism
The GREC also works on the phenomenon of adhesion. Citizens in western democracies participate in the public and political sphere, through political parties, protest organisations, unions, pressure groups, or charities. Literature on the topic tends to isolate the different forms of adhesion, whereby scientific knowledge is again compartmentalized. But are the processes of engagement so distinct from one another? What factors allow us to understand the specific choices behind a chosen sphere of mobilisation? Does adhesion to political parties, movements, unions and charities stem from specific conceptions of political citizenship? Or from particular personality traits? And what do we make of those citizens who are engaged in multiple causes? Who are they? How do they conceive of their roles as citizens? Such questions allow us to do away with the partitions that structure studies of political and social activism. Comparative researches that offer intersecting perspectives on activism therefore hold a prime place within the activities of the GREC.
Political Citizenship
Beyond elections, protest and activism, the GREC is also interested in questions linked to political citizenship. How do collective actors and individuals develop relations with citizenship? How do they perceive the political sphere, its institutions, elites, civil society actors, and democracy more broadly? What are the shared understandings of political citizenship and the role of the citizen fashioned in distinct communities? How are they forged and transformed? Likewise, the GREC is interested in the politics of everyday life that goes beyond voting, protest or collective adhesion. Instances of politicisation aiming at social change include recycling, the boycott of products, the adoption of vegetarianism, sustainable consumption and the rejection of violent practices in raising children. These practices are multiplying in a world that is intent on reimagining social, economic, ecological and political models. However, few studies have as yet sought to assess this aspect of political citizenship and its impacts on society. The GREC therefore wishes to develop research in this field.
