KEYWORDS: CONTEST – DEMOCRACY – FRENCH POLITICAL LIFE

In French political life, social movements occupy a predominant yet paradoxical place. At times celebrated as a testament to civic vitality, other times disqualified as the ferment of disorder, how do we define the nature and scope of their contribution to public life?

The forms and the issues of contemporary protests are analyzed here in detail, from the strikes of December of 1995 to the demonstrations against reforms in Autumn 2010, using alternative forms, or the "Education without borders network," or 'Black Thursday" associations.

Beyond this, Lilia Mathieu clarifies the role and the real impact of social movements on democratic debate.