Books & ideas

To your machines, citizens!

Stanislas Deprez — 2026-04-14T07:00:00Z

Against the trend towards experts having exclusive control over technological development — justified on the grounds of the public's alleged incompetence — Adeline Barbin argues that citizens should be given greater power so as to ensure that techniques are consistent with democratic values.

A hard right turn ?

Gwendal Châton — 2026-01-15T09:00:00Z

Is France heading to the right, as everyone seems to think? According to Vincent Tiberj, it all depends on how this rightward turn is defined. For now, the French prefer the left's values.

Two Centuries of Alternation, 1

Michel Offerlé — 2025-12-18T10:48:00Z

Julia Cagé and Thomas Piketty's economic history of political conflict in France is a defense of bipartition: The Left-Right divide, which is the foundation of our democracy, has enabled social progress. We must therefore work to restore it.

Two Centuries of Alternation, 2

Michel Offerlé — 2025-12-18T10:47:00Z

In his academic reading of Julia Cagé and Thomas Piketty's book, Michel Offerlé provides a critical analysis of the selected indicators, followed by a comparison with works of electoral sociology and electoral history.

Ecology: A class struggle

Mathieu Vigour — 2025-11-11T08:30:00Z

Ecological politics have struggled to ward off environmental disaster. To impose itself as a transformative force, Jean-Baptiste Comby shows that ecological politics must become the strategic tool and compass of a genuine class struggle.

The Racist Motivations Behind the National Rally Vote in France

Nicolas Duvoux — 2025-07-03T09:09:00Z

This fascinating political sociology study looks at the lifestyles and subjective perceptions of average National Rally voters in the South of France. It sheds light on the racist motivations behind people's support for the party.

The Power of the Masses

Arthur Ghins — 2025-06-24T14:44:31Z

French liberalism, which first emerged during the Restoration, focused not only on individual rights: it also shaped the history of the mass as a subjugated political entity.

Politics from the Backstage

Bo Yun Park — 2024-10-08T18:16:22Z

Opening the doors to the backstage of political campaigns, Daniel Laurison invites us to take a closer look at the work of politicos who have played critical roles in presidential elections in the United States.

The left's Enlightenment origins

Marie Deschamps — 2024-06-20T13:41:00Z

For over a century, the left has owed its political identity and major political victories to a critical adherance to the Enlightenment. This is why, Stéphanie Roza argues, abandoning this legacy is dangerous.

The Paternalistic State

Cyril Hédoin — 2024-06-18T13:00:00Z

The behavioral sciences have revolutionized our understanding of individual choices and actions. These approaches are leading to new public policies, which raises important ethical and political questions.