Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

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

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 is Geir Lundestad, who has been Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo and Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee since 1990. He is also adjunct professor of international history at the University of Oslo. He has written extensively on international politics and U.S. - European relations.

1. Background ... the Arctic Circle ... a reading family ... exchange student in Minneapolis ... Cuban Missile Crisis ... political science and history
2. Europe since World War II ... "empire by invitation" ... American aid after 1945 ... establishment of NATO ... European integration ... the problem of the U.S. role
3. Norway 's Unique Role ... not a member of the EU ... realism and idealism ... European view of resurgent U.S. nationalism ... European reluctance to support Iraq war
4. The Nobel Peace Prize ... history of the prizes ... diverse laureates ... controversial laureates ... the Ossietzky case ... growing human rights dimension ... Dalai Lama ... separation from Norwegian government ... Arafat, Rabin, and Peres ... influence of the prize
5. Conclusion ... realism and idealism ... advice for students

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