Self-responsibility is a concept of modern times; however, it has roots going back to ancient times. It points to the accountability of individuals for their actions. Therefore, it presupposes at least some degree of autonomy of the individual as a responsible member of the social fabric. That self-responsibility has changed significantly in modern times, and particularly during recent decades, is the main thesis of this article. In a first part, the concept of (self-)responsibility is examined briefly, and its different dimensions are pointed out. Recent transformations in the notion of self-responsibility are put forward as a hypothesis. Then the central part of this article addresses the question how welfare arrangements have been reorganized in recent decades as a result of the transformations in the concept of self-responsibility. Finally, I mention the main forms of resistance this new type of self-responsibility.
Cet article analyse les savoirs — implicites ou non — qui sont à l'oeuvre dans les dispositifs de prévention. Ces savoirs constituent des modèles de développement. Trois types de modèles sont définis et explicités : un modèle atomiste, un modèle cybernétique et un modèle auto-organisateur de développement. Parallèlement à ces modèles, trois grandes catégories de dispositifs de prévention sont apparus : un régime additif, un régime régulatif et un régime autonomiste de prévention. Tout en repérant l'articulation des savoirs et des techniques, l'auteur montre les limitations et les contradictions des différents régimes de prévention.