Antoine de Lilti (College de France), Legacy of the Enlightenment

Is the Enlightenment a Eurocentric ideology with a legacy of enabling colonialism and racism? Or is it a stock of timeless truths to be defended and propagated as widely as possible for any future human progress? Antoine Lilti, one of the world’s leading experts on the subject and author of the forthcoming book The Legacy of the Enlightenment (Chicago, 2025), gives it the care and nuance it deserves. Sponsored by the History Department, co-sponsored by the Political Economy Project.

James Read, Making the Best of our Flawed Constitution

The U.S. Constitution of 1787 was famously complicit with slavery.  Lincoln was aware of the Constitution’s flaws, but believed it created space for effective political action by a committed antislavery majority. James H. Read (Poli Sci, St Benedict and St. John’s) is the author of four books, including Sovereign of a Free People: Abraham Lincoln, Majority Rule, and Slavery (2023), on Lincoln’s preference for “time, discussion, and the ballot box,” rather than violence, to settle big disagreements. Friday Sept. 19 at 11:30 am in the Rocky 1930 Room. Sponsored by the Political Economy Project. Lunch served.

Kevin Evers, The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift

Monday Sept 22 at 5 pm in Rocky 3.

In his bestselling book There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift (2025), the HBR editor provides the “same thoughtful analysis usually devoted to iconic founders, game-changing innovators, and pioneering brands, [chronicling] the business and creative decisions that have defined each phase of Swift's career.” (Amz review) Co-sponsored by the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy.

Udi Greenberg (History), The End of the Schism

Sept. 24 at 5 pm in Rocky 1.

Why did Europe’s Protestants and Catholics, bitter rivals for generations, become “brethren in faith” in the twentieth century? Prof. Greenberg (History) discusses his new book exploring the role of socialism, feminism, anti-colonialism and Nazism in spurring this transformation, and highlighting the major role their reconciliation gave the churches in setting the economic, cultural and post-colonial policies of post-war Europe. Free copies of The End of the Schism will be available to the first 20 students in attendance.

Douglas Irwin (Economics), "Trump's Tariff Obsession: Good or Bad for America?"

Doug Irwin, one of the world’s leading trade-history economists, discussed the current debate over tariffs triggered by President Donald Trump’s aggressive second-term trade policy. May 19 at 5 pm in Filene Auditorium