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March 27, 2003

Fareed Zakaria Speaks at Library of Congress on April 16

Fareed Zakaria, whom Esquire Magazine calls "the most influential foreign policy adviser of his generation" will discuss his latest book, "The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad," (W.W. Norton & Company, 2003), at the Library of Congress at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 16, in the Mumford Room, sixth floor of the Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. The event, which is sponsored by the Library's John W. Kluge Center, is free and open to the public.

In "The Future of Freedom" Zakaria attempts to provide the historical and philosophical context for what is becoming America's great debate: "Can we spread democracy to countries like Iraq? Should we?" He provides the historical and philosophical context for this controversial issue and arrives at the provocative conclusion that the spread of democracy does not always produce a corresponding growth of liberty.

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger describes "The Future of Freedom" as "a fascinating and thought-provoking book on the impact of Western constitutional principles on the global order" and Arthur Schlesinger calls it "an impressive contribution to our understanding of the crises of democracy that lie darkly ahead."

Born in India and educated at Yale and Harvard universities, Zakaria became managing editor of Foreign Affairs, a leading journal of international politics and economics, in 1992 at the age of 28. In 2001, he became editor of Newsweek International. He writes a regular column that appears in the national edition of Newsweek, Newsweek International, and The Washington Post, making it one of the most widely circulated columns of its kind in the world. Zakaria has also written for The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications. His book "From Wealth to Power: The Unusual Origins of America's World Role," (1998), a provocative examination of America's role on the world stage, has been translated into several languages. Zakaria is co-editor, with James F. Hoge Jr., of "The American Encounter: The United States and the Making of the Modern World" (1997).

Recently, Zakaria joined the ABC television show "This Week," where he offers political analysis and serves as a regular member of the roundtable. He often appears as an analyst on several other ABC News programs, and he has been a guest on other news talk shows such as "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," "The McLaughlin Group" and "Meet the Press."

Established in 2000 through a $60 million endowment from John W. Kluge, the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress hosts qualified scholars conducting research in its comprehensive collections for a period of up to one year. The center furnishes work and discussion space for the Kluge Chair holders, other established chairs, distinguished visiting scholars, Kluge postdoctoral fellows, and for postdoctoral fellows supported by other private foundation gifts. The center also provides easy access to the Library's services and specialized staff.

For more information about the John W. Kluge Center, contact the Office of Scholarly Programs, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue S.E., Washington, DC 20540-4860; phone (202) 707-3302; fax (202) 707-3595; Web site: www.loc.gov/kluge.

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PR 03-054
03/27/03
ISSN 0731-3527

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