Erwin A. Jaffe Home

Power, Political Life, and Language
Initial Thoughts on Power
Politics and Ambiguity
Some Thoughts about Connections
Life without Politic
Composition of Political Life: Power, Violence, Legitimacy, and Authority
A Closer Look at Foundations
Empowerment and Its Maintenance
Myth, Theory, Ideology: How We Attempt to Make Sense of Political Life
The Political Process: How Things Work and What Makes Them Work
Overview of Our Situation
Restoring the American Polity
Tired Images, Defunct Ideologies, Forgotten Games of Rules
Searching for Political Life's Appropriate Imagery
Metaphors for a New Age
The Political Imperative

Appendix A: Interest Groups
Appendix B: Hannah Arendt's Metaphor: The "Normal" Plain or Field of Human Affairs

Erwin was my teacher, mentor, and good friend. He died September 5, 2008. His obituary appeared in the New York Times a week later.

I met him as a young man, new to UNH as a professor of political science, early in the turbulent 60s. I was a wild refugee from Dartmouth, caught up in the changing history of the times. He kindled and shaped my interest in the political process, its organization, and the philosophy of human collectivity that underlies all politics. As he did for so many, even those with completely different opinions from his (like Republicans). He was a remarkable thinker and a clear visionary of the larger political system in which we are all embedded.

He was also a remarkable human being, lover of music, and most of all, lover of his wife Marianne. Erwin and Marianne became the role models I never had for a couple that worked closely together, yet with independent careers. They grew old together, deepening their love as they lavished love on their students. Marianne taught drama at UNH, but was also a talented speech therapist who helped me understand my extremely poor hearing.

I will miss him. -- Jeff Stamps