On October 30th, Jakob Vogel, professor of Modern History at the Institut d'études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), recently visited the French library to present his research project, “Sciences Po, Une Histoire Coloniale.” The event was attended by an audience of 30, including the French consul. Vogel’s presentation aimed to shed light on the historical connection between Sciences Po and colonial studies and was accompanied by an archive exhibition. He eloquently discussed how Sciences Po’s foundational ties to colonial sciences played a role in expanding and asserting the ambitions of the French empire. Vogel’s research seeks to uncover and confront this complex legacy, a pertinent endeavor given to Sciences Po’s continued role as an institution shaping the French political elite, with several presidents and prime ministers among its alumni.
Vogel prefaced by noting that Sciences Po was founded in 1872, shortly after the Franco-Prussian war. Emile Boutmy, the founder of the École Libre des Sciences Politiques (the original name of Sciences Po), introduced a colonial studies section in 1886. This section was later discontinued due to the competition from l’École Coloniale, which eventually merged with ENA, another prestigious French institution. Vogel stressed the significance of this historical context, highlighting the colonial intentions during an era marked by European imperial rivalry and political crisis.
Despite the closure of Boutmy’s colonial section, the legacy of colonial studies persisted at Sciences Po. In 1928, the introduction of the Colonial Sciences certificate embedded these studies within the institution’s curriculum. Vogel argued that the 20th-century development paradigm played a crucial role in reimagining a new framework, the imperial model, shifting the focus toward promoting “good” governance in colonies as part of economic transition— a framework that effectively functioned as a neocolonial strategy. He highlighted how France’s relationship with its colonies, specifically in the context of France Afrique, bolstered the reputation of Sciences Po among postcolonial elites, such as Tunisia’s Habib Bourgiba.
Vogel and his students curated an exhibition that detailed Sciences Po’s relationship with colonial science and empire, aiming to foster a dialogue between the society and its institutions. Following a Q&A session, attendees were encouraged to view the exhibition panels and sample traditional baked goods from Fournée, a French bakery in Berkeley. Ultimately, Vogel’s work serves as an essential reminder of how examining institutional legacies can inspire critical reflection on contemporary narratives and the importance of remembering the past.