Illusions of Managing History: The Enduring Relevance of Reinhold Niebuhr

Andrew J. Bacevich, a College of Arts and Sciences professor of international relations, discusses the legacy of American social critic Reinhold Niebuhr and the relevance of his ideas to the current U.S. military engagement in Iraq in the 2007 University Lecture.
Hosted by Office of the Provost on October 9, 2007.

[@TheSaminator1215]

Small side note: it seems the difficulty he describes at the start of the lecture that his family is currently undergoing is the fact that his son died a few months before this in the Iraqi War. Adds a greater depth to his calling out Bush's immoral wars

[@LA-kc7ev]

"The difficulty that Americans have is in seeing themselves as they really are". If we did, we would be completely different.

[@colbyg7626]

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” ― Reinhold Niebuhr

[@jnagarya519]

It takes courage to take on things one "can't" change -- which is typically the opinion of those lacking the courage to make the effort regardless others' speculations about the outcome.

[@rd264]

more is never coterminal with better, but its the doctrine, a core article of faith, of capitalism

[@marcusskye2230]

A leader like Bacevich in high office would help our nation heal the partisan wounds of the Trump era.

[@marshalllapenta7656]

Lost me in the lecture Found me in the q and a.

[@sillyasitsounds]

That ramble during the Q&A was comically long, she must have intimidated the moderator. It’s a testament to the man’s “niceness” that he politely withstood that disordered rant.

[@LA-kc7ev]

The most brilliant analysis of our country that I have ever heard.