Stéphane Courtois is a French historian and political scientist, best known for his work on totalitarian regimes. He gained prominence as the editor of the influential book, The Black Book of Communism, which examines the crimes committed under communist regimes throughout the 20th century. His research focuses on the impact of ideology on political violence and repression. Courtois has also contributed to discussions on the nature of totalitarianism and the historical context of communism in Europe. He has been involved in various academic and public debates, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical atrocities to prevent their recurrence in the future.