La problématique démocratique dans le discours abolitionniste de Victor Schoelcher. Essai de philosophie politique

Abstract

Victor Schoelcher has gone down in history as thz most farnous of the French anti-slavery leaders in the 19th century ; the philosophie roots of his political thinking remained to be analyzed. His condemnation of the barbarity of slavery and his refutation of the racist ideology reflected his moral conscience, but even more the principles of liberty and equality. Schoelcher's political work did not end with the victory gained in the abolition of slavery. More egalitarian than liberal, he fought for the instauration in « the old colonies » of a political and social citizenship. He embodies, especially in the eyes of colored populations, the ideal of assimilation in a secular and generous Republic and can thus be considered one of the founders of « social democracy ».