The Gilets Jaunes and the New Social Contract

The gilets jaunes, or yellow vest movement, in France has inspired a rethinking of the social contract and the modern democratic nature of representative polities. Charles Devellennes proposes a new relationship between the state and the individual and advocates for a genuine process for healing social ills.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2022
Publisher: Bristol University Press

This captivating book delves into the vibrant yellow vest movement that has stirred France since 2018, offering a lively account of its origins, activities, and profound implications. Author Charles Devellennes skillfully assesses the lessons learned from the yellow vest protests and their impact on the contemporary relationship between the state and its citizens. Drawing upon a rich dialogue with past political theorists, ranging from Hobbes, Spinoza, and Rousseau to Rawls, Nozick, and Diderot, Devellennes explores the challenges posed by the yellow vest movement and reimagines the concept of the social contract for modern societies worldwide. Through this thoughtful exploration, he proposes a novel relationship between the state and the individual, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of the modern democratic nature of our representative polities to foster a genuine process of healing social ills. This thought-provoking work sheds light on the urgent need for political and social transformation, challenging readers to consider new avenues for building a more inclusive and equitable society.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529212211