Le DGS et l' « élu-Jean-Pierre-Pernaut» Une analyse des stéréotypes des dirigeants sur les élus ruraux

This article focuses on stereotypes about rural politics, particularly those held about rural elected officials by council chief executives, their close colleagues. Such stereotypes about their supposed incompetence, apoliticism and conservatism should not be interpreted as a form of distrust of, or contempt for politicians. On the contrary, these stereotypes seek to make sense of the many difficulties that arise in the chief executives' daily work with elected representatives, who are alternately recruiters, decision-makers and colleagues. Viewed from this angle, the world of rural politics can offer heuristic insights into the division of political labour at the top of local institutions.