News and Events

The article, “Leading by Example, Lighting the World: Open Government, Transparency, and Soft Power in Obama’s National Security Policy,” appears in  the national security and democracy academic journal published by  Routledge.

“This article is the culmination of five years of research and reflection on Obama’s impact on U.S. foreign policy during his presidency,” Marquardt said. “In it, I use a wealth of government documents and Obama’s own words—from his speeches and two of his books, The Audacity of Hope (2007) and A Promised Land (2020)—to explore and assess his claim that America’s quest for global leadership today depends in no small part on the strength and vitality of our country’s democratic institutions, and especially a commitment by public officials to ensure that government is open and transparent to the people. Obama’s message takes on greater urgency today as two authoritarian great powers, China and Russia, are intent on undermining the American-led international order.”

The research for the article culminated last summer with the assistance of two Richter Scholars, Marisol Valerin Coronas ’23 and Jake Dziurdzik ’23. In addition, Valdrin Halitjaha ’22 and Suraj Ul Munir ’21 provided earlier research assistance on the study.

“The research process was challenging and fascinating at the same time,” Dziurdzik said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to assist Professor Marquardt with his thesis. Overall, my Richter experience was very useful in refining my academic skills, and it has helped cement my future career aspirations.”

Dziurdzik, a double-major in international relations and business with an accounting emphasis, will pursue a career in accounting after graduating from Lake Forest College.