Potere costituente e scetticismo di battaglia in Etienne de La Boétie

The article examines the thought of Etienne de La Boétie through five main aspects, highlighting the revolutionary and polemical nature of his conception of ‘voluntary servitude’. In the first paragraph, I introduce voluntary servitude as a foundational issue in modern political theory, linking it to the question of power legitimacy. The second paragraph analyzes the role of the subordinates’ will in maintaining power, where La Boétie sees a form of passive consent that grants stability to an inherently fragile authority. The third paragraph explores the relevance of La Boétie’s thought in the context of constituent power, emphasizing how his vision, often excluded from traditional perspectives, is essential for understanding the process of constitutionalizing authority. The fourth paragraph discusses how political will can be constrained by legal mechanisms, which La Boétie views as tools for controlling and neutralizing freedom. Finally, the fifth paragraph concludes by restoring the critical force of La Boétie’s thought, underscoring its ability to challenge the very foundations of modern democracy and authority.