michel heluwaert

Thesis: Jeunesse & sports (1936-1986): Un service d'état du militantisme à la gestion: contribution à l'étude du fait administratif

Under the direction of Michel Miaille

Summary:

Between 1936 and 1986, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a historical construction based on the conjunction of two complex objects (youth and sports), implemented public policies for societal transformation carried out by a group of civil servants, most of whom came from militant associations. Thanks to services that were very close to the population and to local elected representatives, he worked to develop the sports movement and led a proactive policy of creating sports and socio-cultural facilities, establishing physical education in secondary schools by creating thousands of posts for PE teachers, and then initiating the reform of primary school rhythms. It promoted public policies in favor of youth and popular education, and founded principles for intervention in the cultural sphere. Then, while leading a policy of democratization of cultural and outdoor leisure activities, it defined criteria for the qualification of sports and cultural educators. Since decentralization, it has opened up to a managerial logic, leading to a reform of its structures and the missions of its staff, who have gone from being promoters of societal experimentation to experts in charge of controlling the legality of their field of action. Throughout this socio-political essay, Michel Héluwaert endeavors to show the importance of the human factor in the creation and achievements of this task force, considered by some as "administrative madness", which saw the bulk of its projects implemented between 1936 and 1986. Between these two dates, its players moved from the position of militant to that of civil servant. (4th cover)