VANCOUVER, Wash. — Benjamin R. Barber, noted political theorist and acclaimed author of “Jihad vs. McWorld,” will be the keynote speaker at a lecture sponsored by the Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University Vancouver on Wednesday, April 30.
The 7 p.m. talk is set for the Student Services Lecture Hall. The topic of Dr. Barber’s lecture is “Preventive War or Preventive Democracy? National Security in a World of Interdependence.”
“Jihad vs. McWorld ,” published in 1995 and edited and re-released in 2001 to describe the continuing threat terrorism poses to democracy in a post 9-11 world, was translated into 20 languages and became an international bestseller. An upcoming book, “Fear’s Empire: Terrorism, War and Democracy,” will be published this summer.
Barber is an internationally respected political theorist who brings an abiding concern for democracy and citizenship to issues of politics, culture and education in America and abroad. He consults regularly with political and civic leaders in the United States and Europe, including former President Bill Clinton, Senator Bill Bradley, New Jersey Governor James McGreevey, former Vice President Al Gore and President Roman Herzog of Germany. Dr. Barber has authored more than 17 books, including “Strong Democracy,” which is considered a hallmark of political commentary. He is a frequent contributor to Harper’s Magazine, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Nation, and several European publications.
Barber’s honors include France’s Palmes Academiques, the Berlin Prize for the American Academy of Berlin and the John Dewey Award. He is a recipient of Guggenheim, Fulbright and Social Science Research fellowships, and holds honorary doctorates from several universities. He attended the London School of Economics and Political Science and earned a master’s of arts and doctoral degrees from Harvard University.
The lecturer serves as Kekst Professor of Civil Society at the University of Maryland and is a principal of the Democracy Collaborative, a New York-based organization whose mission is to foster the democratic principals of global civil society, concerned citizenship and community service.
Carolyn Long, an associate professor of political science and director of WSU Vancouver’s Program in Public Affairs, served as Barber’s research assistant on “Jihad vs. McWorld.” She will introduce Barber at the April 30 event and facilitate a question-and-answer period following his lecture.
“It is a privilege to have such a well-known and preeminent political scientist and political theorist speak at Washington State University Vancouver,” said Dr. Long. “He is a provocative speaker with important views in a post 9-11 world that will intrigue and challenge audiences worldwide.”
Barber’s appearance is sponsored by WSU Vancouver’s Foley Institute and the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver. The lecture is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. Members of the audience are invited to meet the speaker at a reception immediately following the program.
For further information, contact Nancy Godson, WSU Vancouver communications coordinator, at (360) 546-9602.
