This article aims to analyse the ambiguities of leftist militancy and the possibilities of overcoming them. In order to do that, it looks over the sources of modern militant practices, the Marxist debate about the revolutionary militancy and also the practices of militants of the so-called "new social movements". The most recent militant experience, combined with the refusal by intellectuals of assuming the role of "vanguard", has served as an anchor for the critique of pastoral militant practices and their all encompassing effect.
leftist militancy; political participation; militant; "total militancy"