FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 9, 2004

CONTACT:
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

‘FEAR’S EMPIRE’ AUTHOR BENJAMIN R. BARBER TO SPEAK AT DRAKE

On Thursday, Sept. 23, author Benjamin R. Barber, will speak at Drake University on the topic “Can America Be A Democracy and an Empire Too?” Barber is the author of “Fear’s Empire: War, Terrorism and Democracy,” a book that examines how American foreign policy has gone wrong and how it could go right. His speech, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 25th Street and University Avenue.

Barber is the Gershon and Carol Kekst professor of civil society and distinguished professor at the University of Maryland, and a well-respected author who has contributed to numerous books, newspapers, magazines and radio and television programs. He is the author, co-author or editor of 19 books, including “Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age,” a classic test in democratic theory, and “Jihad vs. McWorld,” which helped to redefine the debate over globalization.

“Dr. Barber is one of America’s most inspiring voices on behalf of democratic citizenship. In his most recent book he marshals political and diplomatic history to attack the policy of fighting fear with fear,” said David Skidmore, director of the Drake Center for Global Citizenship. “He points out the destructive nature of foreign and domestic policies, which assert fear as their deciding principal.”

“Dr. Barber argues for an America that promotes cooperation, multilateralism, international law and pooled sovereignty," adds Skidmore. "He emphasizes that as law and citizenship alone secure liberty within nations, law and citizenship alone can also secure liberty among citizens, freeing them from fear.”
Barber’s speech is co-sponsored by the Drake Center for Global Citizenship and the Iowa Division of United Nations Association. “We urge Iowans to read ‘Fear’s Empire’ and come to the speech with questions for Dr. Barber,” Skidmore said. For more information about the event, call (515) 271-3843 or send an e-mail message to david.skidmore@drake.edu.