Democracy for impertinent citizens

The question of the article is whether impertinence or shamelessness in speech and action is not just democratically acceptable, but in fact necessary. Starting with the assumption that the impertinent person is incapable of recognising others, incapable of viewing them as equal to oneself (and the own small group of impertinent people), the article focuses on the connections of shame and being seen, as well as shame and equality. First it elaborates briefly on the level of social and moral impertinence, philosophically referring mainly to Sartre’s corresponding analysis. Secondly it elaborates on the level of cultural impertinence. Here it becomes clear – with Georg Simmel as main theorist – that impertinence is a necessary Modern problem insofar as self-presentation is a necessary element of that age. One’s own display becomes the core of impertinence – be it in a more narcissistic or a liberating face. Finally the article tries to argue for impertinence as an ambivalent democratic virtue. The impertinent (shameless and unashamed) citizen is an ambivalent figure. Democratically, such a citizen seems to be as necessary as dangerous.