“The Republic is watching you”: French republicanism as a state religion

This article explores how the French Republic is invoked in public and political discourse, arguing that it operates as an implicit state religion. The author examines how secularism and republican values are used to justify policies and measures that often target specific populations, particularly the Muslim community. The paper traces the evolution of republican rhetoric since the early twenty-first century, showing its transition from a political tool to a rigid and prescriptive language. Through examples such as the “Islamo-leftism” controversy and the assassination of teacher Samuel Paty in 2020, the author highlights the increasing ideological weight of republicanism. The study suggests that the Republic functions as a doctrinal framework shaping social and political debates, potentially excluding diversity and enforcing a uniform model of society. To support this argument, the author proposes a discourse analysis of various texts invoking the Republic.