The world-renowned political analyst Michael Arno — one of the leading political consultants of the USA- told the deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics MSPU Vladimir Shapovalov about his views on the preparation of applied political analysts and the leading of the Russian polytology.
Michael Arno — one of the leading political consultants of the USA, participant of elections in 23 countries on five continents. His company «Arno Political Consultants» in the United States takes a leading position in the sector of the organization of referendums in municipalities and states.
The interview with him took place in the framework of the III scientific-practical conference «Politics and Law», which was held on the base of the Institute of History and Politics of MSPU.
Shapovalov: What professional competences, to your opinion, should our graduates have to achieve the same success in the profession as you?
M. Arnaud: The simplest answer is to be a good psychologist, to understand the man himself, the essence of his problems. But they should know the history at the same level: if we do not understand what exactly leads to a defeat or to a victory on elections, what makes a person be a good or a bad leader, we will not be able to use it in the future, and will make different mistakes. Moreover, it is necessary to be well-read and to have excellent writing skills. That is why it is also very important for an applied political analyst to study advertising and journalism.
One of my friends — he is a successful political consultant in Russia — is a very creative person. I believe that the political-analysts students should be encouraged to be creative. It must be among the competencies which are developed in the students.
Shapovalov: You were asked a lot of questions at the conference. How do you assess the dialogue? What questions did you like?
M. Arnaud: First time I arrived in Russia in the 1990s. That time all wanted adopt the American experience and the American technology. But now it is a great pleasure that we can learn from our Russian colleagues.
The questions of the Conference participants were very accurate and they showed that those who had asked them, were clued up about the political processes taking place in the world.
The Russian experts are becoming the experts at international scale. You participate in the international political events. You have people who take part in the elections in America and see all the technology inside.
The competence of your experts is very high, I was pleased to see it in the questions which were asked. I would like to invite you and other experts in America, because we need the Russian experience and your views.
The conference «Politics and Law: the Analysis of elections 2015 and the preparation for elections 2016: the novel legislation and practice» was organized by the Department of Applied Political Science of the Institute of History and Politics MSPU, the Association of political lawyers and the Russian Association of Political Consultants (RAPC). Participants of the conference were the leading political experts, lawyers, consultants and engineers from Russia and from the foreign countries.
The Institute of History and Politics
