Political Institutions in Democracies

My research focuses on how ideas and information shape politics. I study how political organizations, governments, and journalists use these tools to influence citizens and elected officials, and how this in turn affects the functioning of democracy. Part of my work examines how political parties have secured lasting support by investing in education and training. Another part explores how television, when controlled by the state, shaped public opinion and political life in postwar France. Finally, I analyze how the rise of digital journalism and performance indicators has changed the way French politicians work and respond to public scrutiny. Through these projects, I bring together historical evidence, new datasets, and modern statistical tools to show how different forms of communication have lasting political consequences. My findings shed light on broader issues such as political accountability, media influence, and the construction of collective identities. They also highlight how the struggle for control over information remains central to the functioning of democracy, in France and elsewhere.