former Events and activities
American Expert Discusses American Politics in Kinshasa
Political Scientist Arun Kapil met with Congolese journalists, political scientists, university students and NGO activists August 28-29 in Kinshasa to examine and explain the American electoral process in general, and the 2008 presidential election campaign in particular. In dynamic sessions with the media and his Congolese counterparts, Arun Kapil, clearly and thoroughly described the American political process -- state primaries and caucuses, fund raising, party conventions, and the fall electoral campaigns -- in broad terms, and as they specifically relate to the 2008 election. Audiences were especially interested in Senator Obama's candidacy and what it might mean for Africa if he is elected president, as well as the just-announced selection of Senator McCain's vice presidential candidate. Professor Kapil also countered a general misperception among our contacts that race and gender were determining factors in American elections. In his presentations, he underlined the open, though ever-changing, nature of American politics, while emphasizing the durability of the political structure and process that Americans have used for more than 200 years.
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