Comment gouverner une population invisible ?

• Main Author: Francesca Artioli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Métropoles 2014-06-01
• Series: Métropoles
• Subjects: urban policy; political competition; professional group; Navy; Toulon
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/metropoles/4868

One of the main objects of the literature on local government was the analysis of relationships between urban governments and social and economic groups. Most empirical research has focused on public authorities and economic interests, considered to occupy a strategic place in the definition of urban policies priorities. This article deals with the military population in Toulon, the biggest military port on the Mediterranean Sea. It explores the relationships between an urban population (and a professional group), its forms of organization and mobilization, and its potential influence on urban politics and policies. This group is, at the same time, difficult to measure, and considered as structuring the social composition of the city. Two ways of coordination of this population are pointed out. The first is related to politics and electoral competition: marines (active and retired) are recognized as a relevant constituency whose support is to be obtained and maintained. They are a resource in political competition. The second is related to their needs in everyday urban life. Historically, Ministry of Defense provided housing and social services. However, both the new integration of the Navy in a local development strategy and changing needs of the military institution make the marines a new target population in urban policies.