Activist sociability in exile
Zederman, Mathilde
Activist sociability in exile - 2024.
91
Based on a study of the activists of the Tunisian Islamic movement Ennahda exiled in France under the Bourguiba and Ben Ali regimes, this article examines the conditions under which engagement to activism can be maintained in this particular configuration of exile. Through the analysis of activist social ties outside the country of origin, it sheds light on what entre-soi practices produce in terms of politics and engagement. The creation of the Nahdawi militant entre-soi involves a series of mechanisms (socio-cultural and festive activities, religious encadrement, professional networks, etc.) that breed attachment to the group and nurture its internal cohesion. It also involves drawing symbolic lines between ‘us’ and ‘others’ - in this case, non-Nahdawi immigrant and working-class Tunisian communities. Finally, this entre-soi acts as a vehicle for the transmission of activism. The article thus highlights the ambivalence of entre-soi practices in exile. On the one hand, these practices enable the accumulation of resources to protect the group and ensure its continuity. On the other hand, they remain subject to various power relations - linked to social origin, place of residence and degree of integration within the organization - and end up hindering Nahdawi reconfiguration in the post-revolutionary period.
Activist sociability in exile - 2024.
91
Based on a study of the activists of the Tunisian Islamic movement Ennahda exiled in France under the Bourguiba and Ben Ali regimes, this article examines the conditions under which engagement to activism can be maintained in this particular configuration of exile. Through the analysis of activist social ties outside the country of origin, it sheds light on what entre-soi practices produce in terms of politics and engagement. The creation of the Nahdawi militant entre-soi involves a series of mechanisms (socio-cultural and festive activities, religious encadrement, professional networks, etc.) that breed attachment to the group and nurture its internal cohesion. It also involves drawing symbolic lines between ‘us’ and ‘others’ - in this case, non-Nahdawi immigrant and working-class Tunisian communities. Finally, this entre-soi acts as a vehicle for the transmission of activism. The article thus highlights the ambivalence of entre-soi practices in exile. On the one hand, these practices enable the accumulation of resources to protect the group and ensure its continuity. On the other hand, they remain subject to various power relations - linked to social origin, place of residence and degree of integration within the organization - and end up hindering Nahdawi reconfiguration in the post-revolutionary period.
Réseaux sociaux