Remembering Jean Blondel (1929–2022)

On Christmas day, we learnt that Jean Blondel, a hugely influential scholar and a key figure in ECPR history, passed away at the age of 93.

Today, as his family and friends gather in London for the final farewell, we spotlight tributes from across our community that celebrate Jean's remarkable contribution to the discipline.

A true pioneer

Jean played a crucial role in the founding of our organisation and served as its first Executive Director.

In 1969 and 1970, together with Stein Rokkan, and working with Peter de Janosi of the Ford Foundation and other prominent European scholars, Jean shaped the concept of a ‘European Consortium for the Promotion of Political Science’.

In his statement, ECPR Chair, David Farrell, paid tribute to a ‘true pioneer’ in the discipline:

  Jean Blondel was a true pioneer, and political science, in Europe and beyond, is all the better thanks to him.

David Farrell, ECPR Chair

Tracing Jean's career in his recent piece for our blogsite, The Loop, Ian Budge says Jean was a Napoleonic figure who reshaped European political science structurally and intellectually; and had a striking influence on the discipline throughout the world. 

Ian describes Jean's contribution to the establishment of ECPR as his 'defining' project, and a crucial one because, at the time, links between departments and individuals across countries virtually didn't exist.

  Jean Blondel's evangelism and activism attracted support for conferences, workshops, research groups, journals, and grants.

Ian Budge, Department of Government, University of Essex

A highly esteemed scholar

Back in October 2019, we were honoured to host a mini-symposium at our headquarters in Colchester, to mark Jean's 90th birthday. 

Organised by Ferdinand Müller-Rommel, the symposium explored Jean's role as an institution builder and leading scholar of comparative politics. We produced a short film featuring highlights from the event.

In their touching tribute to a long-term colleague and friend, Ferdinand Müller-Rommel and Maurizio Cotta joined the political science community in mourning the loss of a 'gifted institution builder' and an 'extraordinary human being'.

  After Jean Blondel's passing, we remember a highly esteemed scholar, one who opened new fields of research, who promoted enduring academic institutions, who was the mentor of so many younger scholars, but first of all, a man of honesty and manifest integrity, as well as a generous friend.

Ferdinand Müller-Rommel, Leuphana University and Maurizio Cotta, University of Siena

We express our sincere condolences to Jean's friends and family.

As an organisation that wouldn't exist without Jean's tireless efforts, we will do our utmost to continue to honour his extraordinary work and memory.

Keywords: Comparative Politics