Competition for political legitimacy at local and national levels among young North Africans in France

Abstract

Abstract During the last decade, France has experienced new political actions initiated by second generation members of the North African immigrant community. These youths have been reacting against racist killings, police harassment, the rise of the extreme right and social marginalisation. After 1985 various discourses promoting social integration, anti‐racism and voting rights gave rise to diverse forms of political action. Young leaders have constructed new social group identities. They are analysed here as conflicting methods of managing a spoiled identity (Goffman 1986). This article outlines the competition between two major national organisations, SOS Racisme and France Plus, at a time when they both decided to localise their actions in order to gain a larger audience and political recognition. Data collected in Northern France show how local groups reacted after 1988 by building a national federation of grassroots initiatives. This new trend of mobilisation among young North Africans was made possible thanks to certain changes in the political opportunity structure. This new structure played a significant role in the outcomes achieved by these groups.