The following questions are for Vale, “Capital and Capitol: An Introduction,” excerpted from Architecture, Power, and National Identity:
- Typically historical buildings and monuments are the items most looked at when studying the ideas of power and representation. Are we still implementing these rhetorical architectural designs in the buildings of power in the present?
- Does the United States seem progressive or regressive when comparing our capital city to those of countries such as Germany, England, and Italy?
- Have famous buildings of power in the past tried to convey their idea of power with the use of architectural designs of beauty or intimidation?
- How has history and large-scale urban design intervention affected the symbolism of modern capital cities? Is there a difference between evolved capitals and designed capital cities?
- What is the difference between capitol and capital, and how do they interact with each other in the capitol complex?