Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

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

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 Michael Mann, who is a Professor of Sociology at UCLA. His publications include The Sources of Social Power, Volumes I and II; two forthcoming books, Fascists and The Dark Side of Democracy; and he is the author most recently of Incoherent Empire.

1. Background ... influence of father ... education ... dissertation
2. Comparative Historical Sociology ... skills ... interdisciplinary research and theory ... comparative perspective ... Max Weber and the social bases of power
3. Empire ... origins of project ... danger of value-driven policy ... lessons of history ... evolution of U.S. empire strategy ... types of empire ... stages of acquiring power
4. Problems of Empire in the Twenty-First Century ... nationalism ... revolution in military affairs ... military victory versus political occupation ... age of the nation state ... ethnic nationalism ... different forms of democracy ... internal vs. international terrorists ... incoherent empire
5. Conclusion ... advice to students

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