Geoffrey Grandjean

Geoffrey Grandjean is a professor of political science at the University of Liège and a research associate at the Sciences Po Paris Law School. His research and teaching focus on Belgian and European political history and political institutions.

The project

Title: The Times of Power, the Powers of Time

"The scientific literature is lacking when it comes to the accumulation of terms of office over time. Yet the concept of duration is integral to the theory of representation: an elected office is, by its very nature, temporary, as the elected official is merely the custodian of the power entrusted by the people. This temporal nature aims to reconcile two imperatives: guaranteeing democratic accountability through regular elections and ensuring the continuity of public action. Research in constitutional law and political science emphasizes that the duration of terms of office reflects a balance between political freedoms and administrative efficiency. Term length directly influences the ability of those in government to act. Short terms foster closeness to voters but can lead to political instability and a “short-termist” mindset. Conversely, long terms provide time for ambitious reforms but risk creating a disconnect between elected officials and citizens, or even leading to authoritarian abuses if oversight mechanisms are weak. An institutional analysis of more than 70 constitutions shows that term lengths vary depending on the design of the political system and its objectives: stability (long terms) or democratic responsiveness (short terms). For example, presidential terms generally range from 4 to 7 years, while parliamentary terms are often set at 4 or 5 years. Local terms of office tend to be longer, in order to allow for the implementation of structural projects. The reforms of recent years in Belgium and France have been marked by a desire to shorten certain terms (such as the shift from a seven-year to a five-year term in France) and by a desire to extend others (such as the extension of the term for federal deputies in Belgium from 4 to 5 years). International comparisons and empirical studies show that there is no universal model, but rather contextual adjustments linked to the history, political culture, and objectives of each system "

Hosting Institution(s): Sciences Po

Selective Bibliography

• Grandjean, G. (2026). La communalisation. En finir avec l’État ? Liège : Les Territoires de la mémoire.          
• Grandjean, G. (Ed.). (2024). Against sortition? The Problem with Citizens' Assemblies. Exeter : Imprint Academic.
• Grandjean, G. (2022). Pour une commune justice. Bruxelles : Liberté j'écris ton nom.
• Grandjean, G. (2020). Histoire de la construction européenne. Bruxelles : Bruylant.
• Grandjean, G. (2018). Pouvoir politique et audace des juges. Approche européenne et comparée. Bruxelles : Larcier Intersentia.
• Grandjean, G. (2014). Les jeunes et le génocide des Juifs : analyse socio-politique. Bruxelles, Belgium: De Boeck.