In France, conservative values are being upheld and promoted through institutions such as the Institute for Social, Economic, and Political Sciences (ISSEP), founded by far-right MEP Marion Maréchal Le Pen. A recent conference at the school titled “How Does Transgender Ideology Destroy Lives?” sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ activists who viewed it as an attack on their community. Despite protests and graffiti, the school remains firm in its anti-woke teachings, offering degrees in political science and modules in political campaigning, though not recognized by the French state.
Marion Maréchal Le Pen, the school’s founder, had to step down from her position as director in 2022 due to her engagement with the Reconquête party, led by far-right politician Éric Zemmour. The school’s co-founder, Thibaut Monnier, is a member of the National Rally party, and the school maintains a nonpartisan stance while advocating for a “metapolitical approach.” Critics argue that the ISSEP promotes an ideological agenda and is considered an anti-Sciences Po university, attracting students from far-right groups in France.
The ISSEP not only aims to shape the next generation of political leaders but also seeks to build a lasting network among its alumni by organizing events like a kayak expedition. The school invites speakers and professors with ties to the right and far right, aiming to present a veil of intellectual legitimacy. Moreover, the ISSEP has established connections with conservative institutions across Europe, including Hungary’s Mathias Corvinus Collegium, and has a campus in Madrid linked to the far-right Vox party.
In addition to the ISSEP, alternative right-wing educational initiatives like the Institute of Political Training and the Institute of Free Journalism have emerged in France, offering weekend classes and journalism courses. These schools attract young individuals with conservative values who are eager to engage in politics, media, or activism to serve their convictions. Despite controversies surrounding some of the speakers invited, the schools maintain a stance of non-censorship and leave it to the courts to judge any problematic remarks.
Overall, conservative institutions in France, such as the ISSEP, are promoting and upholding traditional values and ideologies through academic programs and metapolitical approaches. These institutions receive criticism for their perceived ideological bias and connections to far-right groups, both in Europe and the United States. Despite the controversy, these schools aim to groom the next generation of conservative leaders and activists who align with their principles and values.
