State mistreatment of associations hampers their role in mobilizations
Political scientist Julien Talpin explains in Le Monde how the state's treatment of associations limits their ability to organize public anger on the streets. He argues that this policy weakens democracy by hindering key civil society actors. The article highlights concrete examples of this dynamic.
In an article published on September 29, 2025, in Le Monde, Julien Talpin, a political scientist and CNRS researcher, examines the impact of the French state's mistreatment of associations on their ability to mobilize society. Talpin highlights that associations, often at the forefront of channeling social frustrations, face a series of restrictive measures that weaken them financially and administratively.
"The way the state mistreats associations affects their capacity to organize the anger of the street," Talpin states, pointing to recent reforms such as the 2021 separatism law or cuts in public subsidies. These policies, he argues, aim to control or discourage critical citizen initiatives, particularly those related to human rights, the environment, or social justice.
Talpin provides historical context: since the 2010s, successive governments have multiplied audits, tax controls, and funding refusals for associations deemed too militant. For instance, groups like Attac or Greenpeace have seen their subsidies reduced, limiting their street action organization. "These associations are essential intermediaries between the popular base and institutions; by weakening them, we deprive democracy of its safety valves," he explains.
The article also discusses broader implications: a weakened civil society could lead to unchanneled anger explosions, increasing risks of sporadic violence rather than structured mobilizations. Talpin calls for greater recognition of associations' role to strengthen democratic vitality, relying on empirical studies from his research without partisan judgments.
Although the article is an opinion piece, it is grounded in observed facts from movements like the Yellow Vests, where associations played a pivotal role despite obstacles.