Stephen Sawyer

Stephen W. Sawyer is the Ballantine-Leavitt Professor of History at the American University of Paris (AUP) and Director of the Center for Critical Democracy Studies. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and has held fellowships at institutions including the University of Chicago, Stanford’s Center for Advanced Study, and the Collège de France. His research focuses on democracy, modern state formation, urban policy, and European political theory, particularly in France. Sawyer is the author of Demos Assembled (2018) and La contingence et le pouvoir (2018), with a forthcoming 2025 book, Demos Rising. He serves as Associate Editor of Annales and founded the Tocqueville21 platform. His work bridges intellectual history, political theory, and comparative state studies, emphasizing democratic governance and socio-political change.

Research & Publications: Sawyer’s projects explore democracy’s role in shaping modern states, with a focus on 19th-century France and transatlantic comparisons. He has published widely in journals like American Historical Review and edited volumes on Foucault, Rosanvallon, and neoliberalism. His current work examines democratic social contracts and radicalization prevention in France.
Awards & Roles: A Neubauer Fellow (2014–15), Kratter Visiting Professor at Stanford (2020), and 2024–25 Harvard Center for European Studies fellow. He directs AUP’s Center for Critical Democracy Studies, hosting projects like the Tocqueville Challenge and De-Radicalisation workshops. His interdisciplinary approach integrates history, political science, and urban studies to address contemporary democratic challenges.