It's time to take a look at the United States' effect on the rest of the world and the consequences of globalization, said Professor David Stowe, director of the American Studies Program.
The program is hosting "America and the Problem of Empire," a four-day conference that begins today at Wells Hall with the presentation of the documentary film, "The Corporation," which focuses on the global effects of big business. The conference is co-sponsored by Lansing-based Institute for the Study of Christianity and Culture and continues through Saturday afternoon.
"The question of whether the United States is an imperial nation is being asked by a lot of people," Stowe said, adding that many also ask what effect religious beliefs have on America's foreign policy. "It's a long running theme in American history. There's a strong religious underpinning to that notion of national expansion, national destiny.
"In the last few years, it's been foregrounded by the Bush administration and foreign policy."
East Lansing native Joel Bakan, director of the film which is based on his book, "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power," will travel from his home in Vancouver, British Columbia, to speak on Friday.
"The corporation is rapidly becoming a dominant institution in the world, even eclipsing the power of the (national and state) governments," Bakan said. "I think students and citizens generally have a need and responsibility to come to grips with the economic and social problems that (corporations) raise so that they can do something about these problems.
Bakan's parents were professors at MSU, but the family moved when he was a teenager.
"I've been traveling throughout the world (to speak about 'The Corporation'), but when I got the invitation from East Lansing, I thought, 'That's interesting, that's where I grew up,'" Bakan said.
Other speakers include Richard Gamble, author of "The War for Righteousness: Progressive Christianity, The Great War, and the Rise of the Messianic Nation" who will speak Saturday about Christianity and foreign policy.
"When critics look at President Bush and look at his (evangelism), it raises questions about how much he is motivated by his theology," Gamble said. "I think students need to be concerned about the right relationship between faith and politics, the right relationship between foreign policy and Christianity."
Stowe said "The Corporation" and a luncheon with Joel Bakan on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the Kellogg Center will generate a lot of interest and at least a few hundred people. He said he expects between 100 and 200 people to attend most of the events.
Some teachers are giving extra credit for attendance at the event. The conference could raise some important questions for students who attend, said Meaghan Kozar, a doctoral student in American Studies.
"I think students sometimes take things for granted in terms of the impact America has globally," Kozar said. "Sometimes they assume it's only a positive impact."
All events are free and open to the public and will be held at the Kellogg Center, except for the screening of "The Corporation," which will be held at B106 Wells Hall. To attend the luncheon with Joel Bakan, e-mail amstudys@msu.edu.
