Abstract

The crisis of the State implies the crisis of the related conceptual framework, that was centered on the category of Sovereignty as expression of political unity. The notion of "constituent power" was the crucial one in order to express the genesis of the State, and also to construct a "democratic " authorisation for the government. For all these reasons, the use of this notion does not seem to move beyond the political language and structure of the modern State. The article criticizes also the notion of "multitude", which has been put both in connection and in opposition with the concept of "constituent power", and which implies a metaphysical identity between ontology and politics, by confusing practical responsibility for action with philosophical thinking.