47

This article analyzes the defense of national sovereignty ("souverainism") in French and British political thinking. Focusing on the central idea that it is impossible to disconnect the exercise of democratic autonomy from its historic, national roots, this line of thought is distinguished by its refusal of any dichotomy between the concepts of the "civic" nation and the "historic" nation. The authors state that only the existence of a shared national identity would make it possible to guarantee the stability of a community founded on the principle of popular sovereignty, thereby authorizing the exercise of democratic autonomy, realizing the principles of social justice, and resisting all forms of identity degradation.