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Jackson, Tenn. – October 11, 2000 – "The West would
like all nations to follow their system of democracy but they are 180
million people using 44% of the world's resources. What does that mean for
the rest of us?"
This and other statements made by former Soviet Union leader Mikhail
Gorbachev were discussed and analyzed by students who participated in
"Reflections 2000," an event sponsored by the Student Activities
Council which immediately followed the Scholarship Banquet held Tuesday,
Oct. 10.
More than 45 students and guests attended, discussing topics such as
the economic evolution of Russia and the significance of cultural
differences and infrastructure of the state.
"I thought this forum really helped students and guests stretch
their minds outside of their American think tanks," commented
Michelle McKinley, one of the student organizers of the event.
"It was really interesting that Gorbachev pointed out that
although the model of socialism in Russia failed, the ideas and values of
socialism did not," said Andrew Holladay, president of Union's honor
association. Many students observed that in Gorbachev's idea of democracy,
the freedom of consciousness played a stronger role than other aspects of
the democratic system.
Moderating the discussion was Ann Livingstone, associate professor of
political science. Other guest speakers included Randall Bush, professor
of Christian studies and philosophy; Stephen Carls, chair of the
department of history and political science, and Sean Evans, associate
professor of political science.
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