By Eric Shiraev Image:Wikimedia Commons/John Tenniel "When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less…." One memorable line from Alice in Wonderlandand two others that would follow have prompted these remarks on the meaning of few terms that we, …
Category: Uncategorized
Fiction to Reality in Ukraine’s Election Standoff
By Alexander Naumov Remember the slogan “Underwood 2016” when we wondered if Frank from House of Cards could get things done in Washington? Ukrainians are deciding a similar question. If you have not been following the presidential election in Ukraine, now is a good time to start: the first round of votes on March 31 …
Continue reading Fiction to Reality in Ukraine’s Election Standoff
Character Assassination: The Historical Perspective [Part 1]
By Martijn Icks “History is bunk,” American business man Henry Ford famously said. It’s a beloved quote, especially among historians, who like nothing better than arguing against it. Others have opined that those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. And then there’s the sentiment that history doesn’t repeat itself, but …
Continue reading Character Assassination: The Historical Perspective [Part 1]
Keynote Address & Professional Speakers
Saturday, March 16 1:30-2:30 PM Keynote Address Shawn Turner is the President of MPACT Communication, a risk and strategy communication consultancy, and a Professor of Strategic Communication at Michigan State University. Turner previously served as the Chair of the Information Operations Department at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security (DMGS). Prior to …
CA trends to follow in 2019
By Sergei A. Samoilenko In this blog post, I continue the tradition of observing cultural tendencies relevant to the study of CA and reputation management. Last year, the world witnessed a major cultural shift towards new values created by social movements, technological progress, and the populist political order. In 2019, American society will continue to be …
Outing Eulenburg: A German Scandal
By Martijn Icks “Outing” politicians and other public figures as gay against their wishes is a long-established practice in modern journalism. Some reporters regard it as just another scoop when they can reveal a celebrity’s hidden sexual preference or gender identity. Others have ideological motives. They may want to advance the gay cause, or expose …
As Crazy As Caligula? [Part 2]
By Henri van Nispen Caligula is clearly a case of imperial madness and hardly suitable for serious reflection upon today’s problems. I care to differ. It is a set phrase to say that every historian reflects his own interests as well as those of the Zeitgeist. Pondering the ruler of his day, the German medievalist …
The Grinch Who Assassinated Christmas
If you’ve been reading this blog and the work of CARP for awhile, you know that we have been pretty clear that only people have character to assassinate. (Whether collectives of people like corporations or nations have character is something we have, admittedly, not resolved to our satisfaction. Let’s put a pin in that one …
Dealing with the Iron Duke
By Martijn Icks Our Devil, who doth in Brussels dwell Cursed be thy name in heaven and in hell These words are not the battle cry of a zealous Brexiteer. They were written over four centuries ago in a Dutch pamphlet, denouncing a Brussels-based power with far more sinister intentions than the European Union. …
Theodora’s Secrets
By Martijn Icks Ravenna is among Italy’s hidden gems. Boasting no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, its rich history as a residence of late antique Roman emperors, Ostrogothic kings and Byzantine governors is everywhere to be seen. Yet where the streets of Venice, Rome and Florence are crowded with tourists as soon as …
Character Assassination and Reputation Politics Research Lab 