Alice Lasvergnas has been a PhD candidate in political theory at CEVIPOF since October 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history, as well as a master’s degree in political theory. Her main research interests are democratic theory, the history of the social sciences, and the political theory of popular culture. 

Her thesis focuses on the debates regarding democratic participation that took place within sociology in the United States between 1944 and 1962 (from the publication of The People's Choice to the Port Huron Statement). Her main claim is that sociological inquiries centering on discussion led to new definitions of apathy and communication. Through those inquiries and the debates surrounding them in social sciences, discussion ultimately became a central aspect of democratic participation theory in the early 60s. 

Thesis title: 

“Explaining apathy, rethinking communication. Democratic theory through sociology in the United States between 1944 and 1962.”

“Explaining apathy, rethinking communication. Democratic theory through sociology in the United States between 1944 and 1962.”