Towards an Intellectual History of Caesarism: Introduction

Conceived as a framework for a scholarly forum on the intellectual history of Caesarism, this introduction unfolds by highlighting the concept's contemporary relevance and offering a “minimal definition” of Caesarism as a modern, post-revolutionary system centered on a towering leader. The second part traces its historiographical trajectory, from its 1940s displacement by totalitarianism to its recent academic resurgence. Next, the methodological framework and key themes, such as historical analogy and the re-foundation of political legitimacy, are delineated. The text concludes by presenting the six constituent essays whose examination of under-explored analytical frameworks serves as a dynamic catalyst for future research.