The Candidates: Amateurs and Professionals in French Politics

In 2017, the French political class experienced a small revolution. After decades marked by the ever more pronounced presence of career politicians in positions of power, the country elected a new President with limited experience. And in the aftermath of Emmanuel Macron's victory, an unusual legislature was elected. Rejuvenated, feminised, it was also made up of more than a hundred complete political novices. In The Candidates , author tienne Ollion follows an ethnographic journey among these new MPs, while drawing on massive digital data analysed with artificial intelligence methods. The result is a gripping story about their discovery of this peculiar world, which sheds lights on pressing contemporary debates about democratic rejuvenation. COVER HALF-TITLE TITLE COPYRIGHT DEDICATION CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Militant Certainties and Scientific Questions A Sociologist in the House The Illusion of a Renewal Waiting Lines and the Making of Homo Politicus Outline of the Book 1. DOWN WITH CAREER POLITICIANS! The Cyclical Return of an Old Criticism Political Careers from a Historical Perspective Two Major Changes The Expansion of the Political Reserve Army 2017, a Populist Moment for the French Elites? A Brutal Reconfiguration 2017, an Atypical Campaign? Realignments 2. A PALACE WAR, NOT A REVOLUTION Changes in the House New Kids on the Floor An Original Selection Procedure Throw the Bums Out? Pathways to National Politics Operation Warp Speed The Moral Economy of the Waiting Line 3. UP-AND-COMERS Can Parliamentary Success Be Measured? Parliaments as Hierarchical, Differentiated Spaces Using Machine Learning to Represent Parliamentary Activity Unequal Life Chances The Passing of Time Knowledge and Acquaintances Waiting and Expectations 4. LIFE CHANGES A Dilated Time The Aristocratic Use of Time Becoming Public Property Striking Blows and Making Deals 5. THE PASSION FOR POLITICS Decreasing Returns Work More to Earn Less The Relegation of Parliament A Money Problem? Exploring the Political Illusio The Power to Do and the Right to Represent High-.Intensity Life CONCLUSION: IN THE WAITING LINE The Politics of Waiting Lines Waiting Lines Everywhere EPILOGUE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS NOTES REFERENCES INDEX