EVENTS
Autumn Lecture Series 2015/16 - Prof. Ken Kennard
A series of three lectures looking at three contemporary issues that might help us understand the United States and its changing status in the World more clearly.
* Monday 5th October, 2015, 7 p.m., room 100.072
‘Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War’ – The Contest over the 2016 US Presidential nominations.
We look to consider the Republican and Democrat runners and riders for the White House. Who is standing? Who will be left standing? Who do these political personalities really represent? Who is betting on who? Does Barack Obama’s recent attempts at creating a legacy help or hinder the Democrats? Is Donald Trump’s recent entrance as foolhardy as it appears (sounds)? After the smoke has cleared, will it be a ‘straight’ fight between Jeb in the red corner and Hilary in the blue?
Does this ‘domestic’ race matter to the rest of the World? You bet…
* Monday 12th October, 7 p.m., room 100.072
‘European Power Returns as Asian Growth Stalls, and American Reach Retreats’ – A reappraisal of where global economic and political power now sits in 2015/16.
As we say farewell to Obama’s ‘yes we can’ we consider who will be pulling the strings of power during the next Presidential term. In spite of who sits in the Oval office, will Asia continue its path to power or are there major challenges ahead ? The EU, putting to one side the Greek debacle, continues to offer a strong economic, political and cultural foil to the Americans. Moreover, is Brussels in a better condition to deal with the Asian contest than Washington? Consequently, if the UK does decide ‘to take their ball home’ and play elsewhere, will that leave Europe in a stronger position to deal with a ‘World Order’ that is in the process of being reorganized?
* Monday 19th October, 7 p.m., room 100.072
‘God Has a Special Providence for Fools, Drunks, and the United States’ – A contemporary and revisionary view of American Foreign Affairs and why it is so important to Europe.
Otto Von Bismarck made this observation in consideration of the ‘luck’ that the US had enjoyed as it developed from a small set of colonies into an economic and political powerhouse. We reconsider this so called ‘good fortune’ in terms of growing US influence overseas after the American Civil War to the present date. Is this dualistic continuing battle within the US between the isolationists and the internationalists such a bad thing? Has this contest actually provided better results than the balance of power diplomacy that has emanated from Berlin, Paris and Brussels? After all, isn’t it true that the United States became the imperial power of today because of its often well hidden but well understood considerations of foreign affairs and not through its well trumpeted but largely fatuous notions of domestic democracy!
*These three lectures will be held at Ghent University, commencing at 7 p.m. The precise location will be announced nearer the time.
The Fight for the White House 2016 - Prof. Ken Kennard
As we turn into 2016 the political spotlight will increasingly fall and focus on the US Presidential Election. The Master in American Studies UGent will be covering this important event by firstly, offering a running blog updated after each of the various caucuses, primaries and conventions as the US goes in search of their respective Republican and Democrat nominee. Subsequently, we will provide a blog on the Presidential debates that follow and then offer two live debates.
Monday October 3rd 2016
Who Will Win the White House?
We will consider the two protagonists, their strengths and weaknesses, the polls and the most likely outcome. Will this be history in the making as a woman ‘dares’ to take Presidential office? After the ‘dream’ created by Obama will the realism of Republican politics reinstate itself? A dynastic dual or a hard bitten political fight determined by finance?
Wednesday November 9th 2016
What does ‘Winning the White House’ Actually Mean?
Just hours after the winning declaration we will consider what this result means for the US and the rest of the World. What does this result tell us about the changing condition of American society and their status in World Affairs? Isn’t it more important to win control of ‘the hill’ than sit in the Oval Office? We therefore review the new make-up of the House and the Senate.
*Both lectures will be held Ghent University; precise details of location will be announced nearer the time.
PAST EVENTS
Public Lecture: US,EU, Russia - the Middle East - 28/10/2014
Dear All,
Next Tuesday 28th October in lecture Room 100.035 at 6.00pm in UGent Blandijn, as part of the Master in American Studies (MAAS) Autumn lecture series, I will be giving a public lecture on the following: US,EU,Russia - the Middle East. I will look to consider the differing contemporary perspectives that these three powerful political entities have now adopted when considering The Middle East.
Moreover, I will not only wish to think about the slow but inextricable disintegration of states such as Iraq, Syria and Libya but to consider how the Middle East is facing up to an uncertain future - Egypt tried democracy but did not like the result, Iraq tried democracy and did not understand it, whilst the Palestinians would love to try democracy as they continue to search for the necessary recognition but Israel is not listening so the US is not playing.
Finally as Turkey looks on with increasing nervousness as the the authoritarian states of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran take sides over sectarian power plays that are breaking up the region into religious, tribal and ethnic pieces what role, what responsibility does Washington, Brussels and Moscow have in this conflict that has no end?
I hope you can come and ask anyone along who might be interested - all most welcome.
Public Lecture: US Midterm Elections - 5/11/2014
Also on Wednesday 5th November at 8.00pm I have been invited by the Association of International Affairs at KU Leuven to give a lecture on the US midterm elections(4th November) and what the outcome suggests.
Will the Republicans take the Senate as they confirm control of the House? If so, a miserable last two years for Obama or an opportunity?
Will the republicans overplay their strong hand? Will their 'overbearing' control of Congress allow for the return of Hilary? What happened to 'yes we can' as the possibility of a republican controlled Congress and a Democrat White House wrestle each other to a political standstill?
Details of the lecture on 5th November at 8pm concerning the US midterm elections:
The lecture will be in room 02.28 in the MSI building, Erasmusplein 2 in Leuven.
The details have been placed on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/877748888904803/?fref=ts
I also hope you can come to Leuven.
Public Lecture: The US and their declining Empire - 18/11/2014
We will consider the future; the US similar to past imperial powers finds that their reducing ability to fund their huge military reach effects not only their hard power capacity not their soft power capability. Moreover, the growing economic power of competitors such as China and the EU suggest that their days as the pre-eminent power are numbered. However, what is that number? How will the US react to a secondary position? How will this New World Order look as its centre moves inextricably towards Asia?
Location and time : Blandijn, room 100.035, 6pm
