Narrative and the Making of U.S. National Security

Open to the Public

Drawing on insights from diverse fields, Professor Ronald Krebs will show where dominant narratives that shape U.S. national security policy come from, how they become dominant, and when they collapse. Based on his recently published book, he will illustrate and evaluate these arguments using evidence drawn from U.S. debates over national security ranging from the 1930s to the 2000s.

Please join us! Coffee, tea, and refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Date: Mon, Feb 29, 2016 Time: 04:15pm - 06:00pm Location: Taubman Building - Allison Dining Room, 5th Floor

Narrative and the Making of U.S. National Security

Dominant narratives—from the Cold War consensus to the War on Terror—have often served as the foundation for debates over national security. Weaving current challenges, past failures and triumphs, and potential futures into a coherent tale, with well-defined characters and plot lines, these narratives impart meaning to global events, define the boundaries of legitimate politics, and thereby shape national security policy. However, scholars of international relations and foreign policy know little about why or how such narratives rise and fall.

Drawing on insights from diverse fields, Professor Ronald Krebs will show where these dominant narratives come from, how they become dominant, and when they collapse. Based on his recently published book, he will illustrate and evaluate these arguments using evidence drawn from U.S. debates over national security ranging from the 1930s to the 2000s.

Please join us! Coffee, tea, and refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Professor Krebs will also be discussing this article from International Organization: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?aid=10009414&fileId=S0020818315000181. Copies of the article will be made available outside Leah Knowles' office (L-340) also. The talk will range widely across the book, and the article is drawn from Part II of the book. We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with Professor Krebs while he is on campus. If you're interested in meeting him individually, please email Leah_Knowles@hks.harvard.edu.