Description

**Lecture in English followed by discussion in French and English.

The May 7 French election has been portrayed in the North American Press as an overwhelming victory against the rise of populism. But a victory of what, exactly? That is an important question at this juncture in the history of the Fifth Republic. Emmanuel Macron’s rise was made possible by the collapse of all the major parties and the failure of social movements and unions to change much of anything in French economic and political life. Yet, despite Emmanuel Macron’s election populism will not disappear if France cannot stop Islamic terrorism. What are the chances of new parties and new movements forming? Is it finally time for a Sixth Republic- and if so, what might it look like?

Marc Lilla, political scientist, historian of ideas, Journalist, is Professor of Humanities at Columbia University. He has written widely on French Politics and continental philosophy, notably in the New York Review of Books, The New York Times, Le Monde and Le Débat. His numerous publications include The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics (2017); The Shipwrecked Mind: On Political Reaction (2016); The Reckless Mind: Intellectuals and Politics (2001); and French Thought: Political Philosophy (1994).