Several myths, such as “proximity,” are associated with municipal democracy. These myths frequently recur in public discourse to legitimize the actions of elected officials or are invoked by citizens to hold their representatives accountable. Among these political myths is the notion of nonpartisanship/apoliticism. Distancing itself from politics, nonpartisanship implies a form of neutrality and consensus that aligns with the idea of a municipal democracy focused on concrete problems that cannot be reduced to simple left-right positions.
However, several studies have shown that both the positions taken by elected officials and the electoral choices of citizens remain guided by political orientations that can be expressed in terms of left and right, underscoring the rhetorical and strategic nature of nonpartisanship. Nevertheless, most of this research overlooks the various facets and expression of nonpartisanship and its potential to serve as a source of repoliticization. Indeed, the growing professionalization of political elites, the complexity of the issues affecting municipalities, and the limited resources available to address them all contribute to the reconfiguration of local dynamics.
Refining our understanding of nonpartisanship is all the more important given that it is not confined to small municipalities ; it is also found in urban contexts where political parties play a significant role in shaping electoral competition. Likewise, while municipal officials often argue that there is no “right-wing” or “left-wing” way to collect trash, such claims are made far less frequently in relation to issues such as homelessness or the management of climate-related risks and disasters. Added to this is the fact that both the profiles of municipal elected officials and the challenges they face evolve over time, leading actors to invoke nonpartisanship in different ways. Its proven or perceived versatility may serve distinct purposes depending on the context and the individuals involved, prompting a more nuanced understanding of how it is expressed.
This panel aims to foster a discussion on municipal nonpartisanship and its various forms of expression, from the perspectives of both elected officials and citizens, across diverse municipal institutional and geographic contexts. Proposals may be submitted in French or English.
