Baker's book on Jean-Paul Marat contrasts his pessimistic views on revolution with Condorcet's optimism, highlighting Marat's radicalism and nihilism in the context of the French Revolution.
About:
David A. Bell writes about French history on his Substack blog, French Reflections.
Website:
Interests:
Subscribe to RSS:
The post argues that Trump's foreign policy actions towards Venezuela and Greenland are impulsive and lack strategic rationale, posing potential dangers.
David A. Bell reviews Roman Polanski's film 'An Officer and a Spy,' which depicts the Dreyfus Affair. The review critiques Polanski's comparison of his own legal troubles to those of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer wrongfully con...
The article discusses the emergence of 'Trump 2.0' and how it diverges from historical fascism, arguing that Trump's governance style is characterized by extortion rather than traditional Republicanism. It examines Trump's actions...
A trip to Normandy with Princeton students highlights the sacrifices of World War II and raises concerns about the current disconnect between the military and civilian society in America.
The article critiques the concept of 'University Derangement Syndrome,' a term coined in response to a statement by the Manhattan Institute that accuses universities of promoting leftist ideologies and engaging in censorship. The ...
The post critiques progressive historians for oversimplifying Cold War liberalism and argues for a nuanced understanding of its complexities and historical significance.
The post examines the complexities of viewpoint diversity in academia, arguing that while the idea has merit, many conservative critiques are flawed and oversimplified.
2025 is marked by Trump's presidency, which poses significant threats to democracy and the environment, necessitating urgent political action.
The AHA is embroiled in controversy over political resolutions regarding Israel, raising questions about its role and responsibilities amidst threats to academic freedom.
The article critiques the growing distrust in experts, using a fictional example of de-icing planes to illustrate how misinformation can sound plausible. It argues that while skepticism towards experts is healthy, total distrust l...
The blog post compares the political crises in the United States and France, highlighting the government shutdown in the U.S. and President Macron's struggles in France. It discusses the contrasting political landscapes, with Trum...
The post discusses the concept of political martyrdom, using the recent murder of Charlie Kirk as a focal point. It compares Kirk's death to historical figures like Horst Wessel and Jean-Paul Marat, emphasizing the emotional and p...
The article discusses the impending political crisis in France as the government led by President Emmanuel Macron is likely to fall. It highlights the challenges faced by Macron, including a divided parliament, the abandonment of ...
The essay discusses the disparity in political influence between the progressive left and the populist right in the context of Princeton University. It contrasts a letter from progressive faculty demanding anti-racist measures wit...
The post explores how Trump's interference in French politics may bolster moderate parties against extremism, echoing historical U.S.-French relations.
The article discusses the challenges historians face in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, contrasting modern scholarly interpretations that highlight violence, slavery, and inequality with traditional c...
David A. Bell discusses his recent publications focusing on France, including a review of William Max Nelson's 'Enlightenment Biopolitics,' which examines race in the Enlightenment and its implications for scientific racism and eu...
The post discusses the issue of grade inflation at elite universities like Harvard, highlighting the emotional distress students face regarding their grades despite their efforts. It critiques the belief that grades should reflect...
The blog post critiques the far-right narrative surrounding the indoctrination of students by leftist professors in American universities, particularly in response to Dinesh D’Souza's comments about Tyler Robinson. It argues that ...
The post discusses the ethical and practical dilemmas faced by universities, particularly Harvard, in negotiating with the Trump administration amid threats to funding and academic freedom. It highlights the sacrifices that facult...
The article discusses the concept of academic productivity, emphasizing that the quantity of publications is often overrated compared to their quality and impact. It highlights the varying standards of productivity across differen...
The article discusses the recent claims by right-wing politicians that left-wing violence is on the rise, citing a study from The Atlantic. It argues that the increase in left-wing attacks in 2025 is not indicative of inherent vio...
The text is a roundup of the author's recent publications, including an op-ed in Le Monde about Donald Trump, an op-ed in The New York Times about international enrollments at American universities, a review of Sophia Rosenfeld's ...