In this lecture by Professor Beatrice de Graaf from Utrecht University, the return of slogans and ideas on national greatness, imperial glory, and authoritarian leadership in international politics will be investigated. In particular in the way they undermine and put pressure on the international rule based order.

In a discussion moderated by Professor Chiara Ruffa of the CERI and PSIA faculty, several questions will be explored. Why are leaders in Russia, US, Hungary, but also in France resorting to blueprints for the international order that have premodern pedigrees? How does historicizing an deconstructing these ideas help us to identify and debunk these kinds of political strategies?