Liberte, Egalite, Laicite: French Political Myths and Concepts

Catalog description

Liberte, egalite, fraternite, but also "laicite," "diversite," "parite," "universalisme" or "galanterie": over the last two centuries, the French have forged key political concepts that have shaped the political consciousness, aspirations, and current debates of what has been called "the most political nation in the world." Along with mythologies such as the People, the Nation, the providential Leader, or the "enemy from within," they are at the centre of semantic and political battles, tugged over by the Left, the Right, populist movements, activists and countercultures. How did they emerge? How do they apply today? How does theory compare to practices, principles to day-to-day realities? This course is an introduction through case-studies, literary works, films, paintings, cartoons, and texts from political theory, history, politics and literature.