How to Interview the Ruling Class

...Information about your interviews will travel and you will be caught if you are inconsistent...

...Therefore the strategy you should use to conduct the interview has little direct connection with your political orientation...

...a skirt or fashionable pants outfit for women...

...If he is reluctant, tell him immediately that the notes are not important...

...For additional information, see NACLA, ed, 'Ten Theses on Power Structure Research" in riACLA'Research Methodology Guide...

...Once he feels relaxed and you have started asking questions, ask if you can take notes...

...4) Role play with friends, learn from each others' mistakes and share ideas about which techniques have worked and which have not...

...If you are doing a series of interviews with people in the same institution or in organizations which communicate with each other, be very careful to use the same strategy throughout...

...If a company does not want publicity, it is best to present yourself as a graduate student who is writing a confidential thesis which no one but your advisor will see...

...This approach works for the Cavett show but would destroy most interviews...

...Try to direct the conversation, primarily using only the information you have been given during the interview to focus in on a topic The subject provides the information, you provide the logic...

...Begin by asking general questions in the area you want to know about...

...The information which follows is primarily for office interviews...

...2) When you know a lot about a topic, have very specific questions and can manipulate the conversation to get answers without the person knowing that you had those questions in mind before the interview...

...The outer office is filled with information and with leads for beginning the conversation with the person you are interviewing...

...If possible try to leave an opening f6r future contact: borrow something, ask for an address, or ask if you could talk again if you have more questions...

...A. Appearance...

...A press card, even from a local or college newspaper, is helpful and relatively easy to get...

...Two types of articles are written about a company or institution: press releases and feature articles based on interviews...

...and from an integration of theory and practice...

...He is interested in your analy- sis of the situation to gain a different theo- retical perspective...

...This will demonstrate your good faith...

...If you want to know about sterilization programs you can ask, "What is being done to decrease the rate of population growth...

...This will enable you to ask questions which are otherwise off limits...

...For example, if the person you are interviewing says, "We have military civic action to help develop the countryside," you should then naively ask, "Wouldn't these programs be most useful in areas where there is guerrilla activity...

...You should not, for example, wear a chic outfit and use the naive approach...

...Knowing the background of the person as well as he does, Cavett asks questions which are embarrasing to the subject but appear to the audience to be harmless...

...The person is made to feel defensive...

...Short or moderately long hair and a jacket and tie for men...

...Frequently, individuals you interview will indicate that they wish to have the material remain confidential...

...Reading other people's interviews for content will help you know the extent of publicity the company will allow...

...If the information is not eventually used to change the existing power relations in capitalist society, it is wasted...

...This strategy can successfully be used with government officials because of the ambivalence this group tends to feel about its work...

...These differences may create problems but they can be turned to your advantage...

...This strategy is useful if you want to study the decision-making process and internal organizational conflicts...

...3. Never admit what you do not want to...

...One technique used by in- telligence agents of the ruling class is to vol- untarily give you a piece of important classified information to gain your confidence...

...Essentially you tell the person, in a gentle way, how much you know about them and ask them to fill in the missing pieces...

...As a result you may only get one chance to speak to the person you are interviewing...

...Never think that because you have found out good information using this strategy that you are pulling the wool over their eyes...

...If you are too conservative the subject will dismiss you as not being part of the "establishment" and merely answer: "Pacification is not enough and schools must be built...

...There are several other suggestions which will help you learn how to conduct an interview...

...1) See the movie The Sorrow and the Pity, by Marcel Ophuls...

...Forbes magazine (January 15, 1971) reports a des- cription of this strategy...

...III...

...B. Using the data...

...At times you are forced to make insipid conversation, to play degrading games and to smile when what you hear is filling you with rage...

...Most important, be flexible, try new things and have a good time...

...The disadvantage with these ways of presenting yourself is that it is very easy for a person to check on your credentials...

...People are much more cautious about what they say if every word is recorded...

...You can push them against the wall until they admit that they disagree with a certain policy...

...Otherwise, because of the alienation, you may be sucked into the hierarchy you are examining and into the value system you are pretending to have...

...For some strange cultist reason, fellow alumni tend to help each other...

...Reading the interviews for style -- what questions did the person ask to get the information presented-- will help you to formu-47 late your own questions...

...Whenever possible do not ask important questions directly if you think that will antagonize the person...

...Don't give up easily and don't take it personally...

...It is generally better to present yourself as a graduate student since the person you want to talk to may feel that talking to an undergraduate is unimportant and will not benefit him or his firm...

...2) Watch the Dick Cavett show...

...To use the information you gather effectively, you must remember its social role and political purpose...

...Whenever possible, develop a biographical profile of the person before you conduct the interview...

...These include: the most up-to-date material available, answers to specific questions, clarification of apparent inconsistencies in your analysis, information about the decision making process and human interest material...

...B. Naive...

...As soon as you can, type up everything you can remember, EVEN WHAT SEEMS UNIMPORTANT...

...D. Guarded Honesty...

...A college student who is writing a paper or doing research for a professor, a graduate student who is working on a thesis or trying to find a topic, a representative of a concerned citizens group, a freelance reporter who might be commissioned to write a specific article if enough material exists, a reporter from a college paper, or someone who is applying for a job are all possibilities...

...The person may then realize that you are not as naive as you pretend to be and stop talking...

...If the person to be interviewed asks, one sheet of stationery is usually sufficient proof that you are who you say you are...

...He won't ask general questions like 'What is your market share...

...B. How to set up the interview...

...Interviewing can be fun...

...Call again, write a letter, send some information to show the individual you are serious and interesting...

...C. The interview...

...You will want to be attractive in both appea- rance and manner to the person you are interviewing...

...There can be some variance from question to question in the difference between your position and the position of the person you talk to, but the variation should be within a rather narrow limit...

...C. How to present yourself...

...Most people you will talk to do not have a clearly developed, consistent ideological framework...

...His staff does a lot of background research on each of the people who come on the show...

...Taping is only useful for special interviews...

...Organizational charts and reference books exist for major institutions (e.g...

...Government Organizational Manual, available through the Government Printing Office...

...Set yourself goals of specific information you want to find out, and try to see the best ways to get it...

...The framework you develop comes from an examination of your political goals and the audience you want to reach...

...It is better, however, not to antagonize the person you have talked with...

...If you have been to college, go through your current Alumni Directory...

...Underneath their plastic facade are lonely people who often drink more than they should, whose children do not respect them and who want to be flattered and appreciated...

...His technique for keeping a conversation going, his "charm" and his discipline of doing background research are positive techniques to learn from watching his show.48 3) Practice by conducting interviews where you don't really care about the results...

...They may do so for two reasons: 1) you have information in which they are interested, either about a competitor who you have already interviewed or about their area in general, or, 2) they feel you will be able to fill in the missing pieces without your help and would like it put in their own words, rather than yours...

...As a result, we become reluctant to contact an individual or we become nervous before an interview...

...An excellent documentary about French collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II, the movie consists of four hours of brilliant interviewing...

...Remember, what you are doing is perfectly legal...

...If, for example, you are accused of not really having the conservative political orientation you claim to have, deny the accusation...

...There are four main areas to consider in conducting an interview: (I) choosing a strategy, (II) setting up the interview, (III) conducting the interview and (IV recording and using the data...

...It probably will be a two-way conversation...

...Normally there is not sufficient evidence to prove you wrong...

...A variation of this strategy is useful when talking with government officials who do not really believe the positions they are forced to take...

...Before you go into the interview, have a list of questions in mind...

...But interviewing may also be alienating...

...and then hope that he will go on to show how civic action is tied in with military pacification...

...You can then naturally say, "C...

...Too often we mystify the people and institutions we are trying to study...

...from an examination of the data you are acquiring and an understanding of Marxist theory...

...If the interview is limited to a phone conversation, there is a whole host of other ways of presenting yourself: an employer checking on a specific individual, a private detective, a researcher for a corporation, or for a stockbroker who is developing a profile of a company to advise clients on whether to invest in that firm...

...Sociologists have been doing it to Blacks and poor people for years...

...The strategy depends on the purpose of the interview (i.e...

...It is our feeling that friends should be protected and their wishes respected...

...Just because you have one excellent interview in an institution, do not think that you have the inside story...

...He is an example of what not to do...

...Data has no meaning without a framework...

...If you are denied an interview, PUSH...

...They may then explain why they think the decision was made to adopt that policy, who argued for it and why they think it is the wrong policy...

...Approach the question indirectly, try to figure out what other combination of questions will give you the same answer, or try to make the conversation lead "naturally" to that question...

...While most of the movie generally presents only the responses, you get a clear idea of what questions were asked and how...

...You are more likely to get an interview if you contact a specific person by name with a request to talk to him about a specific, limited topic...

...There are several types of information which they are willing to share with a credible interviewer...

...Alumni are usually listed by business address...

...Credentials help but are not necessary...

...This strategy requires a tremendous amount of general understanding of a subject and access 45 to specific new information...

...The primary way for you to know whether the company or institution wants or is willing to have publicity is by going through the New York Times Index, the Wall Street Journal Index and the Business Periodicals Index...

...Immediately after the interview, whether you have taken notes or not, write down as much as you can remember...

...For example, if you want to know D, casually say "A...

...After maybe half an hour they'll say, 'Well, if you know that that much...' Then they'll start talking...

...A lower official is not tied into the system as firmly as is an older, more important official...

...He will be willing to tell you a few things which you could not find in any other way, but in exchange he wants to know what you think...

...If you do not have time, write down major areas or ideas which will remind you of what was discussed...

...knowing that his response of course will be "B...

...At informal gatherings it is better if the person does not think that you are interviewing him or her but thinks that you are having a conversation...

...In the beginning of the interview, chat in order to get to know each other and so that you both can relax...

...Talking with a high level official (directors and officers) is useful 1) to answer a specific question which a lower official may not know or may not be at liberty to answer, and 2) to see how he responds to questions, i.e...

...Most people like to talk about themselves and their work, especially to people who are interesting, but don't usually get the chance...

...Write to him and say that you are a fellow alumnus and would like to talk with him or someone in his office about your project...

...Look at the magazines they have, watch how people relate to each other, try to get a rough idea of the number of people doing which jobs, see how the office is decorated, talk to the secretary or receptionist and indirectly ask non-controversial questions about the office, the company and her boss...

...A very important consideration is how high up in the hierarchy you want to go for information...

...Most often the person will be glad that you have made your inquiries since most in- stitutions like publicity and want to present themselves in the best light possible...

...To remain effective, the interviewer must be part of a larger movement, preferably an organization, where the work has a political purpose...

...As the framework becomes more clearly developed, the same information takes on new meaning and importance...

...The person you are interviewing knows your political orientation and is interested in what specific information you have and the limits of your knowledge...

...If you are not a good actor, do not pretend too much...

...These strategies are separate-and distinct...

...The suggestions which follow are presented to help you learn how to get that information...

...A. Dialectic...

...Instead ask: "Why isn't more money spent to train police or for military civic action to pacify areas so that people will be able to goto school...

...Most likely he will be flattered...

...A WORD OF CAUTION There are three additional notes of caution: 1. People respond very differently depending on whether the interviewer is a man or a woman...

...Never underestimate their interest in our analysis...

...The importance of this approach is not only in the specific questions you ask but in your ability to establish yourself in a general position relative to the person being interviewed...

...As in the case of the blind men touching the elephant, there are many inside stories...

...Analysing material gathered from high level officials involves interpreting their carefully chosen words, where things may mean far more than they superficially seem to...

...Be open, trusting and astonished...

...If research is gathered effectively and used politically, the tables will be turned and the rulers will be left with only the pawns to play with...

...He'll say, 'Your market share is suchand-such.' At first, they may say, 'You're speaking nonsense.' He'll persist, and they'll begin to realize he does know a great deal about them...

...People are more likely to bury letters...

...B. Waiting in the outer office...

...This list will help you direct the conversation and avoid uncomfortable pauses while you think up new questions...

...Most important, choose a strategy which allows you to feel comfortable and relaxed...

...And then you can ask, "Why haven't sterilization programs been tried as they have been in India...

...Interviewing is a rich and important source of information, tremendously underutilized by the Left.* Businessmen, government officials and functionaries of non-profit organizations have access to large quantities of previously untapped material...

...Few people among the ruling class and their agents fall into that category...

...But the men and women you will interview are all too human...

...This approach requires a fairly good understanding of the topic under investigation...

...When you begin a research project, you are in the process of formulating a theoretical framework within which to analyze the material you are gathering...

...They don't want to look like fools or liars...

...Speak with assurance and authority, indicating that you know what you want to find out...

...Go to the places which are open to you, where.the people you want to interview meet for business and social reasons: the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, business association meetings, conferences and conventions...

...How to introduce yourself to the person being interviewed so that your political orientation remains confidential will be discussed below...

...As Lenin said, "There is no problem a Bolshevik cannot solve...

...and get a straight answer...

...I. CHOOSING A STRATEGY The purpose of an interview is to gather information, not to politicize people...

...Telephone calls are the best way...

...2. Different people in any given institution have different views about what is going on and what should go on...

...This approach will force the person to carry his argument to its logical conclusion or extreme in his own terms, If you take a position which is slightly more liberal than his, the person tends to become defensive, run into logical deadends, get angry and stop talking...

...Research is a weapon...

...That work will help you decide who to talk to in any given institution and what information is not available elsewhere...

...If he refuses, you might have found out some interesting material (which of course you will remember since you have focused in on it...

...If you think you will not want to talk again to this person or to anyone he talks to, and there is no other way to get the information, you can ask one inflammable or controversial question...

...RECORDING AND USING THE DATA A. Recording the data...

...It is assumed that for the first three of these strategies the person being interviewed does not know your real political orientation or why you want the information...

...He of course will answer, "We have birth control clinics...

...If you think there is some information which he might not want publicized, ask if it is okay to write it down...

...Thus you have to feel out the person you are talking with to determine his or her point of view...

...A letter from a friendly college professor saying you are doing research in a course for him or her is useful...

...D. Other suggestions...

...Generally though, it is better to have done background work on a topic before you conduct an interview...

...the type of material you want to gather), how much you know about the subject you are studying, and how good an actor you are...

...Have a few filler questions you can ask, either to intersperse between sensitive questions or to give you a few minutes to think about your next probe while he rambles on...

...Unless you are very skillful, the questions you ask can draw a very clear map of what you are really interested in and indicate how much you actually know...

...One interview with the relative of Prime Minister Laval is particularly useful for learning good techniques...

...SETTING UP THE INTERVIEW To get the most out of an interview, hundreds of hours of background research are required...

...Do not feel that you are imposing on the person whom you are interviewing...

...The logic you use should be a vehicle to extend his thinking in his terms and to get more of the information which makes up his theoretical framework: The logic you use should not be a presentation of your own framework...

...The best people to interview are librarians, secretaries, authors of newspaper articles, public relations men (who are hired specifically to answer your questions), and of course, the functionaries in.the hierarchy...

...This of course will be your last question...

...It is like playing a giant chess game where your opponent has most of the good pieces, but he doesn't know that you are playing and that you want to win...

...The agent then sits back and watches where your questions go to see what you are interested in and what you already know...

...C. Aggressive...

...It is best to present yourself as someone who, with a little stretch of the imagination, you might be...

...If the material sits in some dusty file cabinet or cloistered away with an isolated researcher, it remains powerless...

...Whenever possible, a contact -- even a friend of a friend-- will help insure that you are given an interview...

...Always try to figure out why a person has told you the informatin he or she has...

...This approach is useful in two cases: 1) When you are genuinely unfamiliar with a topic or situation and want to find out as much as possible in a short time...

...A. Whom to interview...

...Generally, the lower the official, the better the information you will get...

...In talking with a person in an establishment hierarchy, take a position slightly more conservative than his or hers...

...Corporation officials are more assimilated into their organization and therefore have, or are willing to admit, much less disagreement with stated policies...

...Regardless of whether he says it is okay or not to write down the material, you have shown your concern for his interests...

...Find someone in the particular institution you are interested in studying...

...Sometimes they distort information, exaggerate or lie...

...In deciding on a way to present yourself, keep in mind how the person and institution being interviewed will respond to publicity...

...This style of questioning will make explicit his implicit assumptions...

...to see what is their most sophisticated, stated strategy...

...If you have a few specific questions, sometimes the entire interview can be conducted by telephone...

...Your position and political orientation may have to change slightly as you get to know their positions better in order to maintain a dialogue...

...This way you will feel most comfortable and be most believable...

...They'll ask him questions too...

...CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW Interviews can be conducted anywhere: at "a party, sitting next to someone on a plane, at "a sports event or in an office...

...But they usually don't ask...

...At least try to know which division or branch of the hierarchy you want to talk with...

...You can question what a person says if you think he is lying or the information is incorrect, but never do it in a way that shows that you know he is wrong...

...For example, in talking with USAID officials, do not ask: "Why are you spending money to train police to kill guerrillas when so many people are illiterate and the money could be used for schools...

...This type of question is particularly useful if you are interested in how the person responds...

...There are four specific strategies which have been most useful...

...Now, the analyst will call on the corpora- tion's executives...

...They are doing exactly what you are doing only they have been playing this game much longer.46 II...

...The primary consideration to weigh is the political impact of publication versus the extent to which channels of communication will be cut off in the future...

...After this type of question you are in a good position to ask: "How much is spent to train police...

...This is the most risky of the four strate- gies...

...Remember, if you take notes it is easier for him to know what information you consider important...

...and find out if the answer is D. A concrete example will help...

...The clothes you wear must be consistent with the strategy and the situation you choose...