ABSTRACT
Geographical and economic differences aside, after 1981, a more general post-struggle cleavage became manifest on the plateau between those whom I shall call affectives and those whom I shall call politicals. (These terms were also used in conversation with us by some Larzac militants, who—though themselves in one category or the other—were aware of the overall picture.) To define the terms, affectives see problems in terms of human relationships, which generally take precedence over strictly political goals when decisions are made concerning on-plateau activities. The politicals see each local issue in the context of a larger framework consistent with the general desire on the plateau to press for social and political change—a desire shared by affectives as well, though not always given first priority. (On off-plateau issues, such as independence for New Caledonia, there is general agreement between these two groups.) For the politicals, it is of the utmost importance that the Larzac continue to serve as a pilot project for the rest of France. If this means discomforting certain individuals, even long-term militants, so be it. As one might imagine this cleavage is due, at least in part, to underlying cultural differences. The affectives are, in large measure, native to the Larzac, while the majority of the politicals are to be found among those militants who settled on the plateau during and, in a few cases, after the struggle.
