Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Rise of the Vulcans author James Mann for a discussion of the history of the Bush administration's foreign policy.
Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning historian and Princeton Professor Emeritus James M. McPherson for a discussion of his new book, "Trial by War." Their discussion focuses on the qualities that defined Abraham Lincoln's leadership, how he came to define the role of commander in chief, the evolution of his thinking on national policy with regard to slavery, how his goal of saving the Union shaped the politics of the war, his relationship to his generals, and the thinking and circumstances that led to his suspension of habeas corpus and the initiation of...
Jim Fallows, National Correspondent of The Atlantic Monthly, joins Conversations host Harry Kreisler for a discussion of foreign policy decisions in the administration of President George W. Bush. Fallows talks about the factors shaping the choices made, the resulting opportunity costs, and alternative strategies in the war on terrorism.
In this edition, UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler talks with Ambassador Jack Matlock who served as the last U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union. Ambassador Matlock offers his reflections on the fall of the Soviet Union, the policies of the Reagan administration, and how students should prepare for the future.
Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Professor J. Bradford DeLong of Berkeley's Economics Department for a discussion of economics and public policy. Reflecting on his work as deputy assistant secretary in the Treasury Department in the Clinton administration, Professor DeLong discusses the dilemma posed by the breakdown of the political center, the strengths and weaknesses of the NAFTA agreement, and Alan Greenspan's record at the Federal Reserve. He also reflects on the quality of public discussion of economic issues.
Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes historian Garry Wills for a discussion his new book, Bomb Power. Wills recalls the formative influences on his work as a writer including his Catholic faith and education; William Buckley and the editors of The National Review; the Vietnam War protests and the Civil Rights movement. Wills discusses the origins of one of his early books, Nixon Agonistes: The Crisis of the Self Made Man. He explains the roots of his interest in leadership and reflects on other themes in his writing. Wills compares Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Abraham Lincoln, and...
Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning historian Eric Foner for a discussion of his book, "The Fiery Trial." The conversation focuses on Lincoln's relationship to slavery over the course of his career. As Lincoln moved from local, to state and then national politics, he grew in stature and his understanding of the complexity of the issue matured. The discussion focuses on the key dimensions of his intellectual and political growth including Lincoln's background, his command of language in his speeches and writings, and his remarkable skills as a political leader...
UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler and columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. talk about the Clinton legacy, widespread philosophical assumptions and the status of the middle class.
Harry Kreisler welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning historian David M. Kennedy to discuss what can be learned from The Great Depression. Professor Kennedy analyzes the genius of Roosevelt's leadership, the tragedy of Herbert Hoover, the relationship between FDR's short term goals to deal with the economy and his long term goals to establish a new political coalition and create institutions to stabilize American capitalism and more equitably distribute its resources. Kennedy draws parallels with the current global economic crisis and the lessons that the Obama administration could learn from the...
Distinguished geographer David Harvey joins host Harry Kreisler for a discussion of how the analytic tools of geography and Marxism can contribute to our understanding of the new imperialism.
Key Words: U.S. Empire, Marxism, Geographers, Capitalism