DHIS 25A15 - Liberalism: a comparative history, Britain and France

The purpose of this course is to shed a light on the history of Liberalism through a comparison between Britain and France. “Liberalism” is a difficult question with manyfold definitions and controversial points of view. To build step by step the history of liberal movements, liberal ideas and their contradictions, both through British political history and French history should provide to the students a better understanding of both historical debates and today's issues. Traditionally, Britain has been viewed as the country of a successful liberalism whereas France has been sometimes mocked as the country of a failed liberalism. Those clichés will be questioned during the sessions. The course is conceived at the crossroads of political history, intellectual history and political philosophy.
Nicolas ROUSSELLIER
Séminaire
English
A general knowledge of the political evolution in France and in Britain could be helpful - but no obligation
Autumn 2024-2025
50% for the presentation 50% for the final exam in class + to be adjusted with participation to the discussions of the class
Michael FREEDEN, Liberalism : a Very Short Introduction, Oxford Un. Press, 2015
S. Berstein, P. Morris, N. Roussellier, J. Portes, La Démocratie libérale, PUF (in French, comparative history)
Pierre MANENT, An Intellectual History of Liberalism, Princeton Un. Press, 1996 (original in French) (esp. chapters VII to X)
Other books by Michael Freeden on British Liberalism
Pierre ROSANVALLON, Le libéralisme économique. Histoire de l'idée de marché (in French)
Georges BURDEAU, Le libéralisme (in French, old but still valuable)