A lover of debate and pluralism, “JFK” professed “revolutionary centrism”, a concept which meant the refusal of journalists to intellectually chain themselves to the system of the left or that of the right. At a time when different ideological tribes seem to want to group together in tight bubbles, and where any exposure to a different point of view is perceived as a terrible offense, cultivate the intellectual curiosity and the desire for whirlwind debates that have characterized “Marianne” since its creation in 1997 seems to us to be the best way to honor the memory of Jean-François Kahn.
This is a question to which all journalists Marianne were entitled one day. The most loyal of our readers may also have been confronted with it: so, Mariannebasically, is it left or right? Thorny question. Of course, our aversion to neoliberalism, our tendency to defend the small against the big and our republicanism inscribed in blue, white and red iron would tend to place us on the side of the leftiesas the English say.
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But some will rightly argue that there is something to look for in the other side: an assumed French patriotism, a distrust of the times which can border on conservatism, an aversion to moral lessons and overplayed indignations. which make up the daily life of vintage 2025 progressivism.
“Revolutionary centrism”
Where is the answer? If there are any points of reference, they should be sought from Jean-François Kahn, the founder of Mariannewhose disappearance we deplore this Wednesday, January 22. First lesson: “JFK” professed a “ revolutionary centrism »: nebulous concept, in no way comparable to a macronism before its time, but which signified the refusal of the members of the editorial staff to chain themselves intellectually to the system of the left or to that of the right. To be a republican is to base one's opinions on reason: it therefore appears unthinkable, almost revolting, to imagine oneself as a political commissioner adopting en bloc and reflexively the reading grid of one camp.
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-Second lesson: love of debate and pluralism. Jean-François Kahn repeated it – the maxim has been transmitted over generations to Marianne : a good duck must devote at least a quarter of its content to shocking its own readers. Two members of the editorial team disagree on a subject? No better news, since their dispute could fuel a controversy in the pages of the week's newspaper. Because Marianne is an agora, not a barracks, it does not have a pair of journalists who think the same thing on all subjects.
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At a time when the different ideological tribes are only seeking to come together in tight bubbles, at a time when being exposed to the slightest divergent opinion is considered an odious attack, bringing intellectual curiosity to life and the taste for enlightened confrontation which characterizes Marianne since its foundation in 1997 seems to us the best way to honor the memory of Jean-François Kahn.
