2008 Woodie Awards
Politics with Dr. Michael Parenti
Kim O'Brien
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
When the word "empire" is mentioned, many think of ancient Rome. Political analyst Dr. Michael Parenti, however, gave students new insight about the term last week at a lecture in Miller Forum.
Dr. Parenti presented "Political Perception & Deception: How to Think About Empire," on Feb. 7. He addressed the economic power of the United States and its role as a modern empire. The event was co-sponsored by the Department of Political Science, The Department of Media and Communication, the Multicultural Center, the President's Office and the Center for Ethics. Student Kirill Meleshevich '08 spearheaded the event by contacting Parenti.
"I first heard Dr. Parenti speak at a small college five years ago. This was the genesis of my interest," said Meleshevich. He has followed Parenti's work ever since. Parenti is the author of over twenty books and 275 articles. Recent publications include Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader, Democracy for the Few, The Culture Struggle, and Superpatriotism.
"He takes a very logical and rational approach to examining U.S. politics and international involvement," Meleshevich said. Much of Parenti's literature and lectures focus on the link between democracy and economic power, imperialism and U.S. interventions, and the role of past and present empires. Parenti is a board member of judges for Project Censored, the Independent Progressive Politics Network, Education Without Borders, and the Jasenovic Foundation. He is on the editorial boards for New Political Science and Nature, Society and Thought.
Parenti opened his speech addressing the issues of truth and objectivity. He noted that within political regimes, many facts are unquestionably accepted by the public simply because they fit popular opinion.
"Radical views can be more reliable than dominant views," said Parenti. "They are not supported by the unanimity of bias."
In the latter part of his speech, Parenti moved on to discuss U.S. interventions in the Middle East, most notably the war in Iraq.
Dr. Parenti presented "Political Perception & Deception: How to Think About Empire," on Feb. 7. He addressed the economic power of the United States and its role as a modern empire. The event was co-sponsored by the Department of Political Science, The Department of Media and Communication, the Multicultural Center, the President's Office and the Center for Ethics. Student Kirill Meleshevich '08 spearheaded the event by contacting Parenti.
"I first heard Dr. Parenti speak at a small college five years ago. This was the genesis of my interest," said Meleshevich. He has followed Parenti's work ever since. Parenti is the author of over twenty books and 275 articles. Recent publications include Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader, Democracy for the Few, The Culture Struggle, and Superpatriotism.
"He takes a very logical and rational approach to examining U.S. politics and international involvement," Meleshevich said. Much of Parenti's literature and lectures focus on the link between democracy and economic power, imperialism and U.S. interventions, and the role of past and present empires. Parenti is a board member of judges for Project Censored, the Independent Progressive Politics Network, Education Without Borders, and the Jasenovic Foundation. He is on the editorial boards for New Political Science and Nature, Society and Thought.
Parenti opened his speech addressing the issues of truth and objectivity. He noted that within political regimes, many facts are unquestionably accepted by the public simply because they fit popular opinion.
"Radical views can be more reliable than dominant views," said Parenti. "They are not supported by the unanimity of bias."
In the latter part of his speech, Parenti moved on to discuss U.S. interventions in the Middle East, most notably the war in Iraq.