Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

See the Conversations with History Blog See a webcast of this interview: Patten See also: more interviews with Chris Patten

This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.

Welcome to a Conversation with History. I'm Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest today is the Right Honorable Lord Patten of Barnes. Lord Patten is the Chancellor of Oxford University. His distinguished career includes serving the United Kingdom as Secretary of State for the Environment, Member of Parliament from Bath, Chairman of the Conservative Party, Governor General of Hong Kong, Chairman of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, and most recently, Commissioner for External Affairs of the European Union. His new book is Cousins and Strangers: America, Britain and Europe in a New Century.

1. European Union Commissioner of External Affairs ... previous portfolios ... British Conservative Party's evolving position on Europe
2. Ideas Shaping the European Union ... moving beyond nationalism ... strengthening Europe's response to challenges ... integrating new members ... enlargement ... shared sovereignty ... peaceful regime change
3. National Identity and European Union ... recognizing the salience of national identities ... failure to win public support ... political whipping-boy ... moving beyond integration
4. Europe and the Islamic World ... linkage via Turkey ... Muslim communities
5. Europe and the United States ... internationalism of U.S. after World War II ... missteps of the Bush administration ... Hobbesian worldview ... need for partnership ... China's role in world order ... pre-eminence of England, France, and Germany ... leadership
6. Foreign Policy, Leadership, and the Lessons of the Peloponnesian Wars ... more attention needed ... individuals make a difference ... the mistake of Athens ... advice to students

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