Between Model and Anti-Model
Entre modèle et anti-modèle
Résumé
Since the 1980’s, extensive public debates, both scientific and political, characterize the historiography of the French Third Republic. These debates have run through three key moments: Around 1989–1992, a republican historiography of the republic theorized the idea of a ‘republican model’. By contrast, from 2002 onwards, historians stressed the anti-feminism, the racism and the imperialism of a regime that they depicted as deeply oppressive. Ten years later, the historicist turn of the social sciences and the revival of political history have created a new interpretative framework on the republicanization of France as a long-term process. This contrasts with continued public discussions on ‘republican values’ and ‘national identity’.