The French National Front and Beyond: A Global Populist Moment?

Held two weeks before the first round of French 2017 presidential elections (April 23), this conference will take stock of the current ‘populist moment’—in France and elsewhere—as a historical phenomenon and an object of study. Established and emerging scholars from Europe and the U.S. will come together — along with journalists — to address questions of method and analysis in comparative perspective.

1. Panel: Sexual Politics (Friday April 7, 1:00PM-3:00PM)

This panel will tackle a seeming paradox: in a number of European countries populist parties routinely oppose legislation dealing with LGBT or reproductive rights while presenting themselves as the ultimate shield against homophobia and sexism, which they associate with Muslim immigrants and citizens.

With Kathleen Blee (University of Pittsburgh), Anika Keinz (European University Viadrina) and Cornelia Möser (CRESSPA, CNRS)

Moderator: Hugo Bouvard (New York University)

2. Panel: Populism from Below: Ethnographers at Work(Friday April 7, 3:30PM-5:30PM)

Our panelists, who have studied populism from below in three different countries, will compare and contrast the benefits and challenges of their ethnographic approaches.

With Don Kalb (Central European University), Christèle Marchand-Lagier (Université d’Avignon) and Rachel Meade (Brown University)

Moderator: Frédéric Viguier (New York University)

3. Keynote: A Populist Moment? (Friday April 7, 6:30PM-8:30PM)

This keynote lecture will discuss the relevance of the term “populism” as well as the adjectives that can be adjoined to it: conservative, far-right, social, liberal.

With Eric Fassin (Université Paris 8 – Vincennes – Saint Denis)

Opening remarks: Edward Berenson (New York University)

4. Panel: Populism and the Media: Journalists at Work (Saturday April 8, 11AM-1PM)

This panel of reporters and editors will draw from their personal experiences to explore the relationship between the media and populist parties.

With Clare Malone (Fivethirtyeight.com, USA), Sofia Papaioannou (Alpha TV, Greece), Michael Slackman (New York Times, USA) and Marine Turchi (Mediapart, France)

Opening remarks: Provost Katherine E. Fleming (New York University)

Moderator: Stéphane Gerson (New York University)

For a complete description of sessions, please click here: http://ifs.as.nyu.edu/object/io_1490218498951.html.

The event is free and open to the public. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 212.998.8740. Subway Lines: 6 (Astor Place); N, R (8th Street).

Conference organized by NYU’s Institute of French Studies and the university’s Center for French Civilization and Culture,  co-sponsored by NYU’s Center for European and Mediterranean Studies.