Recent municipal elections have once again highlighted the rise of extremist movements. But this trend doesn’t signal a rejection of democracy. Instead, it reveals a deep sense of democratic dispossession. People in France still believe in democracy—yet they increasingly see it as elitist, disconnected, and unresponsive to their everyday concerns.
In this context, cooperative and deliberative approaches offer powerful ways to rebuild trust and better align institutions with citizens’ expectations.
Restoring Legitimacy by Sharing Power
At the heart of the problem is the erosion of meaningful participation. To push back against extremism, we need to move beyond a purely representative model toward a truly open democracy. That means:
- Embedding citizens’ assemblies selected by lot to ensure diversity and richer public debate
- Embracing real power-sharing, where public authorities accept the uncertainty of deliberation and turn participation into actual decisions—not just consultation
- Co-creating diagnoses with citizens on the ground, bringing lived experience back into public decision-making
Rebuilding the Social Fabric and the “Power to Live”
Far-right dynamics thrive on social insecurity and a sense of decline. Cooperative approaches tackle these root causes head-on by:
- Reinvesting in the social sphere through collective action on concrete issues like housing, purchasing power, and local public services
- Encouraging dialogue and compromise across civil society, keeping communities as spaces of solidarity and freedom rather than division
- Expanding civic and popular education to turn frustration into constructive engagement and strengthen critical thinking
Winning the Cultural Battle Through Shared Narratives
Countering extremism also means offering a compelling alternative to nationalist narratives. Cooperative approaches help build new stories—ones rooted in solidarity, resilience, and collective action.
By embracing nuance, complexity, and constructive disagreement, we can move beyond resignation and reignite the desire to act—and to shape the world we live in.
A Practical Political Strategy
Cooperation isn’t just a moral stance—it’s a practical strategy. By combining deliberation, expertise, and active participation, institutions can meet citizens’ demand for real involvement and help defuse the forces driving exclusion.
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