October lectures explore autocracy, communism and U.S.-China-Russia relations

Two October lectures in the series "Unmasking the CCP: History, Politics, and Society in Post-1949 China" will examine the history and global legacy of communism, contemporary tensions between democratic and autocratic systems, and China's role in a shifting international order.

On Oct. 23, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul will give a talk, "Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder," based on his new book. Cornell University President Michael I. Kotlikoff will introduce McFaul at 4:45 p.m. in Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium in Klarman Hall. A reception and book signing will precede the talk at 3:45 p.m. in Groos Family Auditorium. Pre-registration for McFaul's lecture is required; register here.

The lecture series is organized by the Department of History in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). McFaul's talk is co-sponsored by the Dean's Office of the College of Arts & Sciences, the Department of History, Cornell Center for Social Sciences, The Einaudi Center and The East Asia Program (all A&S).

On Oct. 27, the series will turn to the history of communism in China with a University Lecture by modern China historian Frank Dikötter, the Milias Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chair professor of humanities at the University of Hong Kong. His lecture, "Red Dawn over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity," will be introduced by Cornell University Provost Kavita Bala at 4:45 p.m. in Schwartz Auditorium, 201 Rockefeller Hall. A reception and book signing will precede the lecture in 291 Clark Hall. A mini-panel featuring doctoral students Henry Cheng (history) and Hanna Lin (government) will follow. Pre-registration is required; register here.

Read the full story on the College of Arts and Sciences website.