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Robert R. ThompsonAbout Robert R. Thompson Robert R. Thompson is Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Political Science at Arcadia University. In 1995 he received a grant from the American Political Science Association to conduct research in the Russian Foreign Policy Archive in Moscow. He has also won several Arcadia University grants for travel, under the auspices of the Council on International Educational Exchange, to participate in special study programs for groups of professors in Berlin (1990), Warsaw (1991), Moscow and St. Petersburg, (1996, 1998), and Budapest and Prague (2002,2004). He received Arcadia University grants to conduct research in 2000 and 2002 in Bucharest and Sibiu, Romania and study recent Romanian political developments. Professor Thompson has also led student delegations to model United Nations conferences in Brussels, Athens, Vienna, Heidelberg, and Geneva. Columns
Boris, We Hardly Knew YeWith the former Russian president's passing, Thompson recounts his visits to Yeltsin's Russia, and recalls what his Russian friends thought of Boris Yeltsin. [1 June 2007] The Post-Putin Era: Russian Revolution or Russian Evolution?The world’s two most dominant forces will usher in new regimes in 2008. Thompson offers insights into the next Russian presidential election and its diverse cast of players. [22 March 2007] Run, Hillary! Run!As the weakened state of the Republicans augurs well for a Democratic president in 2008, a veritable flood of candidates has joined Clinton as the race begins. She begins her run with name recognition and plenty of monetary backing, yet she is far from a shoo-in. [5 December 2006] Fascist, Fascist, Who’s A Fascist?The term "fascism" is being appropriated, inappropriately, by a range of political interests in the US – including the Republican Party. [10 October 2006] Onward Young Pioneers!As Communism's old guard is gradually relegated to the past, much of Eastern Europe is faced with a decidedly non-traditional youth movement. But are countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic ready for the political make-over? [1 August 2006] Postcard from BeijingThe Lovely Club and Mao's Tomb not only seem like two different Chinas from on another -- they seem to be on two different planets. [31 May 2006] Alito? No!Is Judge Samuel Alito Jr. the right man for the Supreme Court? More right than you might believe. [1 December 2005] Impeach George W. BushAs Hurricane Katrina nearly blew New Orleans off the map, George W. Bush blew the chance to fulfill his presidential duties. [3 October 2005] Supreme Court SmackdownSeparation of Church and State in the US is a myth. As Sandra Day O'Connor steps down from her seat on the US Supreme Court, the country prepares for another Holy War. [6 July 2005] Tony Blair’s Tenuous TrifectaBlair endured a grueling campaign that required him to actually face disgruntled voters -- quite unlike Bush's pre-screened, pre-set, flag waving constituency. [31 May 2005] The Dogs of RevolutionThe people -- and the dogs -- of Romania now reside in a less threatening, more humane country. [26 January 2005] Sex, Lies and Videotape: the 2004 US Presidential Election'Moral' Bush supporters unleashing their anti-gay bigotry; 'patriots' denigrating a veteran's wounds and combat service while supporting a draft dodger. With four more years of the Bush Administration to endure, we have to show these bullies that it is we, not they, who represent the best, compassionate impulses of American democracy. [8 December 2004] You Can’t Force the VoteNewsweek's Anna Quindlen thinks fining non-voters in the US is a good idea. Thompson, his university students, and some friends who lived under communist dictatorships in Hungary and the Czech Republic, think otherwise. [20 October 2004] Still Standing: House of TerrorThis Neo-Renaissance building located a pleasant stroll from the Danube River, was once an elegant mansion. During WWII it became known as 'The House of Loyalty', then 'The House of Horror', and now it has settled into a museum named 'The House of Terror'. [25 August 2004] Budapest DreamsDestroyed during WWII and again in '56, during the anti-communist, Hungarian Revolution, it seems Budapest was always pulling itself from the rubble. This 'second city' to Prague is stronger, now, and wizened, but full of promise. [30 June 2004] Dear Europeans: I Am NOT George Bush!Politics and Culture/East and West -- Dear Europeans: I Am NOT George Bush! -- At the Geneva Model UN committee session, Thompson and his students face the repercussions of a long-standing European wariness towards Americans; and the fact that the Bush Administration's policies have turned that wariness into open resentment. [12 May 2004] The Iowa Caucuses: American Democracy’s Naked EmperorPolitics and Culture/East and West -- The Iowa caucuses disenfranchise a person who, despite being politically active, would prefer to act -- that is 'vote'. [1 March 2004] The UN, George Bush, and YouPolitics and Culture/East and West -- Americans feel very mean towards the UN, at the moment. [12 November 2003] Patriots, Terrorists, and Liberty’s FuturePolitics and Culture/East and West -- Americans are torn between the conflicting demands of liberty and security. [7 October 2003] Reading Lolita in Tehran, and in Baghdad, and in Hungary, and in New YorkFor whatever the hardships, people will read. [11 September 2003] Justice, Peace, and Memory—From East Europe to IraqPolitics and Culture/East and West -- Justice, Peace, and Memory - From East Europe to Iraq -- This painfully constructed edifice of rights is honored more in the breach than in the observance. [9 July 2003] Seeing the War from AbroadNo one can sit in this conference and be unaware of the U.N's guiding principle: the need for peaceful settlement of global conflicts. [14 May 2003] Pop PoliticiansIn my high school a constant 'battle' went on between the Kennedy emulators and the Elvis crowd. Our hair told the story: the bushy tousled look with a smart part vs. the wild, unruly pompadour. [26 December 2002] Prague Is PopSure enough, before the soup arrives the band of young, shaggy musicians is working hard to blow the breadbaskets off the dinner tables. [30 October 2002] Cher Was No GypsySo those stories about gypsies were true: they were thieves and beggars, always ready to assault, possibly even kill, and quickly move on. [9 October 2002] Prague: A Dual Heritage of Beauty and SacrificePrague shows the world that sacrifice is not futile, that evil can be fought and ultimately, defeated. [28 August 2002] Dracula’s RevengeAt a lunch with two members of the Romanian Senate the discussion moved from NATO admission to Dracula Park. [7 August 2002] Democratic Vistas: East and West (with apologies to Walt Whitman)We were no longer in a country where this soldier's actions were constrained by democratic niceties. When he said get off the bus, we got off the bus. [26 June 2002] The Complexity of Memory: Warsaw 1940-1991Auschwitz and Warsaw clashed with Jennin; the Battle of the Boyne was fought again; memory struggled with memory. [5 June 2002] Mother(s) for President(s)That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute. [8 May 2002] Culture Clash at Ground ZeroThe [Church of Christ the Redeemer] has been rebuilt — a meticulous copy of the original — and an example of reconstruction triumphing over destruction. [3 April 2002] Presidents, Pop Stars, and CzarsHe should have rugged good looks, and perhaps some pop star charisma so that he can wow the crowds when he's out there making appearances and giving speeches 'on tour'. [1 March 2002] Reaching for the Real World War II—A Personal JourneyThe newlyweds . . . came to the tomb as most Muscovite newly weds do, to pay homage . . . to honor those whose death had truly made this wedding day possible. [6 February 2002] Russia; White, Red and GreenI use Snickers to pay for taxi rides and to buy old Soviet medals from street vendors. People buy computer software from salespersons who tote up the price with an abacus. [12 December 2001] The Draculas’ HometownWho are we outsiders to say that Romania shouldn't fully exploit the Dracula story, both real and imagined? [24 October 2001] |
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