March 11, 2022
Political analyst to discuss America's fracturing society in Paul Simon Institute event
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Political analyst, author and Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer will discuss the forces that have divided American society, as well as the nation’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in a virtual event next week hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
Zelizer’s virtual conversation with John Shaw, institute director, is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, March 17 via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at paulsimoninstitute.org/events.
Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton, is an award-winning author of more than 20 books and a regular contributor on CNN and NPR. The discussion will focus on the book Zelizer co-wrote with Kevin Kruse in 2019, “Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974,” which traces the history of American polarization. The conversation will also touch on Zelizer’s book “Arsenal of Democracy: The Politics of National Security – From World War II to the War on Terrorism,” as Shaw seeks Zelizer’s perspective on U.S. foreign policy, especially as it relates to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Professor Zelizer is one of the leading political historians in the United States,” Shaw said. “He is remarkably gifted at explaining both the forces and personalities that are reshaping America and our lives. He will also offer an important perspective on the role that our country is likely to play in the epic confrontation now unfolding in Europe.”
Zelizer edited the book “The Presidency of Donald J. Trump: A First Historical Assessment,” a collection of essays from leading historians set for release next month. He also co-hosts a weekly podcast “Politics & Polls.”
Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Zelizer with their registration or send them by email to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.
The event is part of the institute’s Understanding Our New World virtual conversation series with government and private sector leaders, policy experts, political analysts, authors and journalists.