Electric Politics

"Electric Politics" has a catchy ring to it, but does it mean anything?

Yes. Conventional political analysis relies on archaic notions of 'predominance of gravity' — in other words, in politics the side with the most stuff wins. Electric Politics ® is the modern hypothesis that political ideas carry charges which interact in predictable patterns. 'Electric' differentials better explain political outcomes and the structure of the political landscape. What people think matters much more than is generally understood.

Gosh, but... is this just a geeky political theory site?

Nope. This is my idiosyncratic political commentary site that includes social commentary, religious commentary, arts commentary, and whatever else I find interesting. Also news links and occasional original reporting. The EP podcast format is mainly — though not exclusively — informal conversations with interesting people, without any fixed time limits. Think of it as a miniature, progressive, alternative (improved) NPR.

And I'm very pleased, and proud, that the EP podcast has been recognized in 2007, in 2008, and again in 2009 as one of the top ten political podcasts in the country, by the Annual Podcast Awards competition.

Will you cover subjects that people send you?

Yes, if it's interesting. See the contact page for details on how to contact me or send things, including anonymously. If you'd like to be interviewed on the show that may be possible too: contact me and tell me what you want to talk about and why and I'll consider it.

O.K. Er, thanks. And who are you again, anyhow?

Chad Credit Here's the short version of my bio: I'm George Kenney. I was born in Algiers in 1956, during the battle of Algiers, to a US foreign service family, and I grew up in the states, in Africa and in Europe. I spent way too much time in graduate school at the University of Chicago (MA in Economics) from which, following family tradition, I joined the foreign service myself. I was a tenured, mid-level career officer, serving as Yugoslav desk officer at the State Department headquarters in DC, when I resigned my commission in 1991 over US policy towards the Yugoslav conflict. Subsequently for a few years I was a consultant in residence at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Those were my salad days as a pundit. I had about 60 articles published in mainstream outlets, did hundreds of radio and tv interviews and talk shows, and traveled extensively through the US on speaking tours. In the mid-1990s, however, I came down with symptoms of a hereditary illness — iron overload — which sidelined me for years. With treatment I'm now operating more or less on two cylinders, more or less permanently. C'est la vie... and I'm glad to be alive!

Un-Hunh! So you were mainstream. Your personal politics must be fairly conventional, fairly establishment, right?

Absolutely not, no. But political labels, or for that matter our current political parties, don't stand for much anymore. Politics today is mostly pantomime and, indeed, everybody knows it. OK – OK – I admit we do think in stereotypes (sometimes) so if I must describe my politics it's Progressive with some strong Burkean conservative streaks and a soft spot for Libertarianism.

Not quite sure what that means — but is anybody else involved in producing content on this site?

Exellent question! The answer, at the moment, is yes, to a limited extent. Electric Politics ® is proud to publish essays by Werther (the pen name of a Northern Virginia-based defense analyst). I bring on other writers as circumstances permit, as well as other on-air talent and, indeed, other viewpoints. Also, coding and website assistance from Michelle Jones, who would be happy to be contacted to work on other projects.

Interesting. How often does your podcast appear?

I produce the EP podcast once a week, posted Friday mornings, with occasional supplementary shows and features.

Are you available to be a guest on other shows?

Yes.

Are you available for speaking engagements?

If the cause is right, yes, for expenses plus a modest honorarium; the latter may be waived if you're broke.

So what's up with the ads?

I put up several recommended links in EP's left column, but these aren't actually ads. 'Traditional' internet advertising can't get a handle on sites like this one, and services like Google's AdSense aren't really worth the candle — thus, as an alternative, I'll place free links to groups, services, and products I like. If a linkee finds that EP is bringing them some revenue and wants to offer a tip, I'll gladly accept. If not, that's OK too. And if a linkee doesn't want their link on EP I'll pull it, of course. Graphic thanks to the brilliant Peter Hoey.

Thanks! What if I have other questions?

Contact me and I'll do my best to answer them.

Oh, wait! I heard some cool music on your podcast. What was that?

It's a slightly customized theme very kindly provided by BJ Leiderman (if the style seems vaguely reminiscent of radio, that's because BJ has done a lot of work for NPR). Due to popular demand, you can download a cellphone ringtone of the EP theme here. Prior to late September 2006 the music was from Gecko3 of Edinburgh, who allowed me to chop up one of their tracks.



Home FAQ Contact Archive EP Store EP Alerts © 2010 ElectricPolitics	"Electric Politics" has a catchy ring to it, but does it mean anything? Yes. Conventional political analysis relies on archaic notions of 'predominance of gravity' — in other words, in politics the side with the most stuff wins. Electric Politics ® is the modern hypothesis that political ideas carry charges which interact in predictable patterns. 'Electric' differentials better explain political outcomes and the structure of the political landscape. What people think matters much more than is generally understood. Gosh, but... is this just a geeky political theory site? Nope. This is my idiosyncratic political commentary site that includes social commentary, religious commentary, arts commentary, and whatever else I find interesting. Also news links and occasional original reporting. The EP podcast format is mainly — though not exclusively — informal conversations with interesting people, without any fixed time limits. Think of it as a miniature, progressive, alternative (improved) NPR. And I'm very pleased, and proud, that the EP podcast has been recognized in 2007, in 2008, and again in 2009 as one of the top ten political podcasts in the country, by the Annual Podcast Awards competition. Will you cover subjects that people send you? Yes, if it's interesting. See the contact page for details on how to contact me or send things, including anonymously. If you'd like to be interviewed on the show that may be possible too: contact me and tell me what you want to talk about and why and I'll consider it. O.K. Er, thanks. And who are you again, anyhow? Here's the short version of my bio: I'm George Kenney. I was born in Algiers in 1956, during the battle of Algiers, to a US foreign service family, and I grew up in the states, in Africa and in Europe. I spent way too much time in graduate school at the University of Chicago (MA in Economics) from which, following family tradition, I joined the foreign service myself. I was a tenured, mid-level career officer, serving as Yugoslav desk officer at the State Department headquarters in DC, when I resigned my commission in 1991 over US policy towards the Yugoslav conflict. Subsequently for a few years I was a consultant in residence at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Those were my salad days as a pundit. I had about 60 articles published in mainstream outlets, did hundreds of radio and tv interviews and talk shows, and traveled extensively through the US on speaking tours. In the mid-1990s, however, I came down with symptoms of a hereditary illness — iron overload — which sidelined me for years. With treatment I'm now operating more or less on two cylinders, more or less permanently. C'est la vie... and I'm glad to be alive! Un-Hunh! So you were mainstream. Your personal politics must be fairly conventional, fairly establishment, right? Absolutely not, no. But political labels, or for that matter our current political parties, don't stand for much anymore. Politics today is mostly pantomime and, indeed, everybody knows it. OK – OK – I admit we do think in stereotypes (sometimes) so if I must describe my politics it's Progressive with some strong Burkean conservative streaks and a soft spot for Libertarianism. Not quite sure what that means — but is anybody else involved in producing content on this site? Exellent question! The answer, at the moment, is yes, to a limited extent. Electric Politics ® is proud to publish essays by Werther (the pen name of a Northern Virginia-based defense analyst). I bring on other writers as circumstances permit, as well as other on-air talent and, indeed, other viewpoints. Also, coding and website assistance from Michelle Jones, who would be happy to be contacted to work on other projects. Interesting. How often does your podcast appear? I produce the EP podcast once a week, posted Friday mornings, with occasional supplementary shows and features. Are you available to be a guest on other shows? Yes. Are you available for speaking engagements? If the cause is right, yes, for expenses plus a modest honorarium; the latter may be waived if you're broke. So what's up with the ads? I put up several recommended links in EP's left column, but these aren't actually ads. 'Traditional' internet advertising can't get a handle on sites like this one, and services like Google's AdSense aren't really worth the candle — thus, as an alternative, I'll place free links to groups, services, and products I like. If a linkee finds that EP is bringing them some revenue and wants to offer a tip, I'll gladly accept. If not, that's OK too. And if a linkee doesn't want their link on EP I'll pull it, of course. Graphic thanks to the brilliant Peter Hoey. Thanks! What if I have other questions? Contact me and I'll do my best to answer them. Oh, wait! I heard some cool music on your podcast. What was that? It's a slightly customized theme very kindly provided by BJ Leiderman (if the style seems vaguely reminiscent of radio, that's because BJ has done a lot of work for NPR). Due to popular demand, you can download a cellphone ringtone of the EP theme here. Prior to late September 2006 the music was from Gecko3 of Edinburgh, who allowed me to chop up one of their tracks.