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Professor Emeritus Biancamaria Fontana of the University of Lausanne has written about French politics and political thought for many years and is a formidable thinker on the merits of federalism,  and, in particular, the work of figures like Montaigne and Constant. She is writing a book about the Directory, which triggered this conversation - but we also touched on Napoleon Bonaparte's government and the way contemporary politicians - especially Emmanuel Macron - address this period of French history. 

'Germaine de Stael: A Political Portrait' is available here. 

This interview was recorded in late 2021.