ABSTRACT

Since the mid-1940s, the countries of the world have acted and interacted in an amorphous body called the international community. On the one hand, the international community seeks the common good, while on the other hand, the individual nation states within the international community often prioritize their own national interests over global initiatives. In this presentation, we consider the extent to which the countries within the international community can be expected to find common ground, while still maintaining their unique integrity.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Bill L. Smith, Director of the Martin Institute and the Program in International Studies, claims to have the best job on the UI campus. A historian by training, he finds the combination of fields of study embodied in the International Studies degree fits his interests perfectly, prompting him to embrace the interdisciplinary program wholeheartedly. He says that one of the great things about working with the Institute and IS major (as well as the affiliated Borah Foundation) is the chance to study new topics every year, which is a rare treat for an academic. He points to the uncommonly engaged and consistently excellent students affiliated with the Martin School as one of the true joys in life.

Hired by the Institute in 2000, Dr. Smith lives in Pullman with his wife, Kaari, and daughters Bailey and Kasey. He has lived in Mexico, Portugal, and Spain in addition to his native California. In his spare time he enjoys reading, playing games with his family, gardening, and playing, watching, and discussing both international soccer and MLS.

For more information: Rodney Frey