lemonde.fr
Parisian Peripheral: A History of Exclusion
Justinien Tribillon's "La Zone" explores the Parisian périphérique's history, revealing how its development consistently served the interests of the dominant class, from the 19th-century 'zonards' to contemporary social divisions.
- What are the long-term implications of the historical patterns identified in the book?
- Tribillon's analysis suggests that the long-term implications of consistently using spatial division to serve class interests lead to ongoing social exclusion and reinforce existing prejudices. The book implicitly criticizes the continuation of these patterns in contemporary urban planning.
- What is the central argument of Tribillon's book regarding the Parisian périphérique?
- Tribillon argues that the Parisian périphérique's development, regardless of stated justifications, has consistently served to secure the interests of the dominant class by creating a stark division between 'us' and 'them'. This division has manifested differently throughout history, from the marginalization of 'zonards' to contemporary prejudices.
- How does the book trace the evolution of the Parisian périphérique and its social implications?
- The book traces the périphérique from its origins as a zone of precarious housing and marginal populations in the 19th century, its subsequent demolition to create the urban highway, to its current role as a socio-spatial divider. It connects this evolution to broader historical trends, such as Haussmann's urban planning and post-colonial dynamics.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The text presents a narrative framing the Parisian périphérique's history as one of inevitable dissolution, highlighting its anachronistic nature and the displacement of marginalized communities. The author's framing emphasizes the negative aspects of the périphérique's impact, pointing to its role in isolating Paris from its suburbs and serving the interests of the dominant class. The use of words like "asphyxiation" and "anachronistic" sets a negative tone.
Language Bias
The language used is occasionally charged, for example, describing the inhabitants of the 'zone' as 'marginaux, de pauvres et d'artistes' (marginals, poor people and artists) and using terms like "inframonde" (underworld) and "classe dangereuse" (dangerous class). While these terms reflect historical perceptions, they could be considered loaded and lack neutrality. The description of the transformation as serving 'la sécurisation des intérêts de la classe dominante' (the securing of the interests of the dominant class) is a strong assertion.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses heavily on the negative aspects of the périphérique's history and its impact on marginalized groups. While it acknowledges the diverse history of the area, it might benefit from a more balanced perspective, possibly including voices and perspectives that offer a different view of the périphérique's development and its current role in the city. Positive aspects of its evolution or potential benefits in the future are largely omitted.
False Dichotomy
The text presents a simplified dichotomy between 'Paris' and 'the Other,' suggesting that the treatment of the périphérique consistently served to demarcate and marginalize those outside the city center. This framing potentially overlooks the complexity of the historical forces and the multiple actors involved in the development of the périphérique. It could benefit from a more nuanced analysis of motivations and complexities.
Gender Bias
The provided text does not contain explicit gender bias. However, a deeper analysis might reveal implicit biases in the descriptions of the 'zone's' inhabitants and their relationship to power structures, which could merit further exploration.
Sustainable Development Goals
The book highlights how the treatment of the Parisian periphery has always served the interests of the dominant class, creating a stark demarcation between "us" and "them". Addressing this historical inequality and the resulting social disparities is crucial for achieving SDG 10. The evolution of this "othering" from "zonards" to "banlieusards" to "muslims" demonstrates the persistent nature of social inequalities and the need for inclusive urban planning and social policies.