Professor, author to speak on why Americans are seduced by war
January 10, 2007
Can the United States' military power be an instrument of effective global leadership, or is the promise of using military might to advance security only an illusion? Are civilians' assumptions about the military valid? And is the $400 billion spent annually on the military being spent wisely?
Andrew J. Bacevich, a military expert, professor and author of books and articles on U.S. diplomacy and militarism, will address those questions at University of Richmond Jan. 30. His lecture, titled "Leaders and Followers, Soldiers and Citizens: Why Americans Are Seduced by War," is co-sponsored by Richmond Quest and the Jepson School of Leadership Studies. He will speak at 7 p.m. in Jepson Alumni Center.
Bacevich is professor of history and international relations at Boston University, a graduate of West Point and a Vietnam veteran. There will be a question and answer session following his speech. Tickets are free, but required. To reserve tickets, call (804) 289-8980 starting Jan. 16.
Bacevich combines first-hand knowledge of military life with a sharp, scholarly mind to offer his perspective on the present and future relationship between American military power and democracy. He has written for both conservative and liberal publications and speaks to people across the political spectrum and both sides of the military-civilian divide. He argues that our common history and assumptions about military power and influence are moving us as a nation into a new era of militarism.
Bacevich is author of several books, including "American Empire: The Realities and Consequences of U.S. Diplomacy" and "The New American Militarism: How Americans are Seduced by War," which won a special Lannan Prize as most notable book. He appears regularly on NPR, and his articles and op-ed pieces have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and other leading newspapers and magazines.