Lova Rakotomalala

Hi,
I am a Post-doctoral research associate based at Purdue University in Indiana.
I have been following this historical presidential campaign with heightened interest.
I will give you my perspective from a non-voting, Malagasy/French perspective.
I also give more of my personal point of view on my
personal blog is http://rakotomalala.blogspot.com

Email Lova Rakotomalala

Latest posts by Lova Rakotomalala

Malian Artists, American Politics & Guns N’ Roses

  December 2, 2008

Inauguration day on January 20, 2009, shapes up to be an event to remember for many historical reasons. One of the more mundane reasons will be the invitation extended by president elect Barack Obama to the Malian duo Amadou et Mariam. Lova Rakotomalala connects the dots between music, art and American politics in this post.

Africa: Back to Reality after Obama's Election

  November 23, 2008

The election of Barack Obama prompted hope throughout Africa that the perception of the continent and the nature of relations between Africa and the US will now be different. However, many bloggers are now warning their fellow Africans against unrealistic expectations. The fact that Obama’s father was Kenyan, they argue, will not alter the fact that Obama was elected by Americans to look out for American interests in the world.

Sarkozy to Putin: “Do you want to end up like Bush?”

  November 15, 2008

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former Russian president Vladimir Putin are known for having a colorful and unpredictable relationship. Has Sarkozy's warning to Putin not to behave like the American president George W Bush been a factor in not escalating the crisis in Georgia? Bloggers from around Europe weigh in.

Madagascar: The American Dream and President Obama

  November 5, 2008

Madagascar might be a bit far away from America but US elections fever has also caught Madagascar (the natural consequence might be that Madagascar dance fever will spread in the US after the release of the movie bearing the country's name). A few bloggers weighed in on why they follow the US elections so passionately and what an Obama presidency means to them. Lova Rakotomalala brings us the story.

Sarah Palin's Conversation with Fake Sarkozy

  November 2, 2008

Two radio hosts from Montreal, the Masked Avengers (les Justiciers Masqués), successfully impersonated French president Sarkozy and carried on a humorous conversation with VP candidate Sarah Palin. Bloggers from Canada, France and Tunisia react to the interview in this post by Lova Rakotomalala.

Revisiting French bashing in the right wing discourse

  October 26, 2008

Superfrenchie asks a recurrent question about the US-France relation that considerably soured in 2003 over the Iraq war. “Is France still the bogeyman for the American right?” The instances of France being labeled as the stereotypical left-leaning and soft European country by the right wing rhetoric abound: Romney’s stump speeches,...

Europe: About that S word…

  October 21, 2008

The latest line of attack from John McCain's campaign seems to revolve around that S world - you know as in Obama is a Socialist. It is often followed by the obligatory E (for Europe) word as McCain said himself: “”At least in Europe, the socialist leaders who so admire my opponent are upfront about their objectives.” So what do Europeans think of that latest from the Republican presidential candidate?

Bloggers fear impact of economic crisis on Madagascar

  October 19, 2008

As the economic crisis continue to worsen, both US presidential candidates, European leaders and heads of international organizations predict that international aid will have to be reduced. Developing countries like Madagascar which are still relying heavily on international aid fear that such reduction will severely hinder the progress made in social development and reduction of extreme poverty. So will the economic crisis affect Madagascar and how ?

Is The US Global Leadership Fading Away?

  October 2, 2008

As Congress works to pass a revised bailout plan for sinking financial institutions, and the repercussion of the crisis is felt severely throughout the world, a recurring question seems to be on international bloggers' minds: Is the economic leadership of the US in the world starting to fade away?