Time Magazine columnist Joe Klein visited Sanford's School of Public Policy Tuesday night to address the civic responsibilities of today's youth.
Klein has written six books and addresses national and international affairs in his weekly Time column, "In the Arena." He came to Duke through the Hart Leadership Program’s Connect to Politics speaker series, using his speech to discuss the responsibilities of American students and politicians to give back to their community and pursue a meaningful life path.
“It’s about devoting yourself full-time to something that isn’t about you,” he said.
Klein pushed students to question their own responsibility to their country and local communities, particularly in service through the armed forces, and to act in ways that will benefit society as a whole.
Tommy Sowers, visiting assistant professor of the practice of public policy and Duke ROTC alum, noted that though the majority of Duke students are not joining the military, they are very plugged into giving back to the Durham community.
“[Klein] put out the challenge that giving back to the Durham community is not enough,” Sowers said.
When asked if any other countries were better examples than the United States for this type of service, Klein said Americans should look towards Israel, where military service is mandatory for all citizens over the age of 18. He said he believes the kind of service the Israel Defense Forces involves has led to a burst of entrepreneurialism in Israel.
“He did a really great job laying the framework for how the community plays into [military] service,” senior Jacob Zionce said of Klein's talk. “Not only did he stress how, as an overarching American community, we as young people have the responsibility to serve, but also how people older than us have the responsibility to move the country forward.”
Klein also discussed the role of politicians in the world, who he sees acting in the short term for good weekly or monthly ratings and ultimately showing little concern for future generations.
“I want a leader who's looking through the telescope, who's thinking where we’re going to be 30 or 40 years from now and what we have to do,” he said.
Klein has spoken at several other universities in the past week to urge students to look beyond material ambitions in their post-graduate careers.
“The people here are among the elite,” Klein said in an interview following the speech. “I tried to talk about the responsibilities that come with being in the elite.”
Sowers echoed Klein's words and found the content of his talk relevant to today's Duke students and community.
“I generally believe that certain causes bigger than yourself are a way for broad satisfaction in life,” Sowers said. “I think it is important that a message like that of service is communicated here at Duke.”
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