February 28, 2006
Expert to discuss presidential power and pre-war intelligence
James Pfiffner to deliver Harrington Lecture at Clark, March 16
Worcester, Mass. - James P. Pfiffner, a leading authority on presidential policymaking, strategic management in the White House, and presidential character will deliver this year's Harrington Lecture in American Politics, "Presidential Power and the Bush Administration," at Clark University on Thursday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Razzo Hall in the Traina Center for the Arts, 92 Downing Street.
The lecture will explore the various claims for executive power advanced by the Bush Administration in the buildup to and prosecution of the Iraq War and the war on terrorism, including the controversial National Security Agency domestic surveillance program.
Pfiffner is Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University. He has lectured at universities in Europe and throughout the United States as well as at the Federal Executive Institute, the National War College, the U.S. Military Academy, and at the State, Justice, and Defense Departments. He is currently conducting extensive research on the use of intelligence before the Iraq War.
In addition to "The Modern Presidency" (4th edition, 2004), he has written or edited ten books including "The Strategic Presidency: Hitting The Ground Running," (2nd edition, 1996) and "The Character Factor: How We Judge America's Presidents" (2004). He has published more than 80 articles and book chapters on the presidency, American government, and public management.
As an elected member of the National Academy of Public Administration, Professor Pfiffner has been a panel member or on project staffs of the National Commission on the Public Service (the Volcker Commission), the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Center for the Study of the Presidency.
Professor Pfiffner has served on the faculty at the University of California, Riverside, and California State University, Fullerton. In 1990 he received the Distinguished Faculty Award at George Mason University.
Professor Pfiffner received his bachelor's degree, master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. While serving with the 25th Infantry Division (1/8 Artillery) in 1970, he received the Army Commendation of Medal for Valor in Vietnam and Cambodia.
The Harrington Lecture in American Politics is supported by an endowment from
the late Francis A. Harrington. Mr. Harrington was a Worcester native, civic
leader, vice president and director of the Paul Revere Insurance Companies,
and a member of Clark University's Board of Trustees.