The Gatekeepers of the Political Order: Intelligence, Counterterrorism and Subversion in France

Domestic intelligence services play an important role in the production and the reproduction of the political order, even in liberal regimes. Their agents have an important autonomy in the definition of what the main threats are. By their ordinary work, they determine constantly what is an “acceptable subversion” for the political and social order. The secrecy of their work, the tools they have and the methods they use give them a sort of monopoly for this definition. In the aftermath of Merah’s attacks in 2012, and of 2015 massacres, their role has been questioned by political authorities and administrative commissions of inquiry. New stakeholders have seized the opportunity to challenge this previous monopoly and to propose new frames in the struggle against political violence. On the basis of an on-going fieldwork, we will present these changes and their effects on target groups.