In this masterclass, Catherine argues that comparative political analysis is more than just a way of explaining variation across polities; it is also a practical technique for anticipating the political future of one’s own society by using other jurisdictions as empirical stand-ins for alternative futures. She makes the case for integrating comparative politics into strategic foresight alongside techniques like scenario building or horizon scanning. She urges the audience – from analysts and policy makers to scholars – to adopt this approach as part of their anticipatory toolkit, enhancing their ability to navigate uncertainty and shape informed decisions in an increasingly complex world.
Catherine Fieschi: Comparative politics as foresight
- Date
- 18 June 2025
- Time
- 12:00-13:00 CET
About
Speakers
Catherine Fieschi
Senior Fellow, the Robert Schuman Centre of the European University in Florence
Catherine Fieschi is a leading European politics expert and global analyst. Her main focus is on the rise of populist and authoritarian politics in advanced democracies and the resulting destabilization of policy-planning and markets. She is a longstanding adviser to progressive political leaders and campaigns across the globe. A Senior Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre of the European University in Florence – Europe’s foremost policy and research institute – Catherine is also a Senior Advisor to London-based geo-political advisory firm Macro Advisory Partners. Widely published in academia and beyond, Cathrine is a regular commentator for outlets such as the FT, The Guardian, Politico, BBC and CNN. She is the author of Populocracy: The Tyranny of Authenticity and the Rise of Populism (2019) and is currently writing a book on women and the far right. Catherine holds a PhD in Comparative Politics from McGill University in Canada and lives in Paris.