David Bell is Professor for the Era of North American Revolutions at Princeton University. He has written a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, and much of his research is focussed on the French Revolution, the history of the Enlightenment, and on the importance of charisma in political leadership. In our conversation we discuss what makes a charismatic leader and why some historical moments tilt the balance of power towards charismatic leaders, past and present. How much is the Enlightenment legacy of human rights, individualism and universalism under threat as democracy is on the retreat and universities, scientific research, institutions, freedom of speech, and human rights are being questioned? And was there really one Enlightenment, and was it not completely hijacked by capitalism, communism, and colonialism, to leave little more than a dry shell of empty slogans? Is the Enlightenment still an inspiration for today?

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