To compete and thrive in the 21st century, democracies, and the United States in particular, must develop new national security and economic strategies that address the geopolitics of information. In the 20th century, market capitalist democracies geared infrastructure, energy, trade, and even social policy to protect and advance that era’s key source of power—manufacturing. In this century, democracies must better account for information geopolitics across all dimensions of domestic policy and national strategy.
The presentation will be on a research project-in-progress on the importance of mobilizing American civilian support, service, and sacrifice during the war against terrorism. The presenter was mobilized from the reserves and served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq during 2003; he will share a few personal recollections and answer questions. The research examines the context, alternatives, implications, and consequences of actively mobilizing greater American civilian commitment and participation for what is now considered a significant challenge to American civic life and society — an ideological and armed struggle against international terrorism and insurgency.