Conversation on World Changes

Three authors involved in world affairs engaged in a wide-ranging discussion on recent world events and America’s role in international matters. Roger Kennedy, Director of the Smithsonian’s American History Museum, expressed reservations about the U.S. as a positive example-setting force in world affairs. James Fallows, Washington, D.C. editor for Atlantic Monthly, remarked America needs an “enemy” or challenge to unify and motivate the nation. Judy Shelton, Senior Research Fellow at the Hoover Institute, addressed the necessity of a “devastating break” from the old system in the Soviet Union. Also addressed during the discussion were President Bush’s inattention to domestic matters, American political cynicism, and the “most interesting” personalities in current American politics. Each of the authors had appeared on previous episodes of C-SPAN’s Booknotes, from which excerpts were shown and discussed. Brian Lamb moderated the discussion. close