The Schools of Political Studies are at the centre of Denis Rolland’s new book
Strasbourg, 15 February 2013
A year after the publication of a first book on the Network of Schools of Political Studies “Building Europe, democracy and civil society, from Russia to the Balkans”, Denis Rolland, Rector of the Academy of Guyana since 2012, has published a second volume “Towards European Democratic Governance: The Council of Europe from the Schools of Political Studies to the Strasbourg World Forum for Democracy (1992-2012)”.
The book looks at the work of the Schools of Political Studies since the first one was set up in Moscow 20 years ago. Taking a historian’s approach, the author sets out his own views on the Schools’ functioning, programme, financing and prospects. The book looks at how a genuine Network has developed in Europe and how it contributes to the debate on European identity and values, the defense of human rights and the promotion of democracy.
At a time when democracy is threatened by economic, political and identity crises, this book offers new insights into how the Council of Europe has become an adviser on democracy issues and plays an educational role through its Schools of Political Studies.
In the preface, Danielle Charles Le Bihan (University of Rennes 2) notes that Denis Rolland advocates the complementarity between the Council of Europe which, through its educational approach, enhances acceptance of democratic values, and the European Union, which thereby receives support to develop the concept of European citizenship and to strengthen its own role amongst Europeans and on the international stage. Aware of the severe financial difficulties facing the Network, the book argues that the European Union should continue to recognise the Network of Schools of Political Studies as a democracy building block and reinstate funding for them from EU programmes.
As Denis Rolland told the European Association of Schools of Political Studies, with this second book he had a freer hand to explore the issues in greater detail raising a number of questions to which, however, he does not presume to answer.
In her foreword, Catherine Lalumière, President of the European Association of Schools of Political Studies, insists that: "Today, as never before, Europe needs a vibrant, clear and strong democratic base capable of resisting populist and selfish tendencies. The Council of Europe and its Schools can be extremely effective in helping to consolidate the foundations necessary for constructing Europe. Professor Denis Rolland’s book provides the proof that, in today’s context, giving the Council of Europe and the Schools the means to act is a great investment for the benefit of Europe and all Europeans.”
To buy the book in French, click here.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
To promote the valuable work of the Schools of Political Studies in Europe and beyond, the European Association of Schools of Political Studies calls for volunteers to translate the book from French into English. Thus, anyone who masters both languages and would like to contribute to this project should contact us at: easps.coe@gmail.com.
