The student revolt of December 1986 translated the profound disarray of a university world faced with the mutations at work in modern-day France. In an analysis of the causes of the events that led to the repeal of his project of law on the universities. Alain Devaquet underlines the importance of the stakes represented by higher education and research on the future of a country and formulates an ensemble of propositions in light of their development.

Alain Devaquet is a former minister of higher education and research, a professor at the faculty of sciences of Paris, and is currently mayor of the 11th administrative district of Paris.