Alain Ehrenberg: Autonomy and empowerment

This article considers Alain Ehrenberg's extensive analysis of individualism in contemporary France. It shows how he has traced the emergence autonomy as a key social value, and it goes on to analyse distinctive features sociological approach. Unlike many his contemporaries, Ehrenberg does not regard growth France tragic process anomie isolation. In fact, is critical what sees pervasive French discourse ‘declinology’, expressed growing frustration with this perspective more recently explicitly political terms. Although acknowledges that can be burdensome for individuals, feels state should respond fact by supporting empowering citizens autonomous agents. The concludes drawing attention limitations position.