EUC-Affiliated Faculty on France's Inherent Melancholy

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The European Union Center's faculty affiliate, Professor Jean-Philippe Mathy, was included in a recent article in the Economist, entitled "French Culture: Bleak Chic." The article explores France's relationship with and ostensible entrenchment in misery and references Professor Mathy's book, "Melancholy Politics: Loss, Mourning, and Memory in Late Modern France," in which he argues that France's pessimism stems from the country's realization that it is becoming indistinguishable from any other given country, that it is slowly sliding into unexceptionalism.

Professor Mathy also recently participated in the University of Pittsburgh's videoconference "Conversations on Europe" roundtable discussion, "France as a Global Leader." The EUC blog post about the conference can be read here.