Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

See the Conversations with History Blog See a webcast of this interview: Joffe

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 Joe Joffe, who is the Editor/Publisher of the German weekly, Die Zeit.

1. The German Election ... Schroeder's campaign ... biographical and historical reasons ... Realist view
2. Consequences for Europe ... realignment of traditional allies ... Rumsfeld's "old" vs. "new" Europe ... transformation of NATO ... alliance à la carte
3. Global Trends ... magnitude of U.S. power ... attempts to counter-balance ... new threats ... renewed importance of military power ... implausibility of Europe speaking with one voice
4. The Bush Administration and the Iraq War ... prevention, not pre-emption ... need for "police"-style prevention ... need for cooperation ... Bush's style ... need for self-containment ... post-WW II institutions ... leadership and legitimacy ... Wilsonianism and High Noon ... postwar reconstruction
5. Islam, the Middle East and the West ... Huntinton's "clash" ... racist viewpoints ... dysfuctional political cultures ... necessity of reform ... dubious model of post-WW II
6. Conclusion ... role of journalism ... state of IR theory ... looking for new theorists

See also a lecture by Joffe from Webcast.berkeley: Joffe lecture 2003

© Copyright 2004, Regents of the University of California

Site questions: Email iis_webmgr at berkeley.edu.