AUBURN — Dr. Karl Trautman, chair of social sciences at Central Maine Community College, will discuss his new book, “The Underdog in American Politics: The Democratic Party and Liberal Values,” on Thursday, Oct. 14.

The book is an original analysis of how the underdog concept applies to the Democratic Party and American politics and culture. In particular, it analyzes how the power of the underdog has shaped, and reflected, the politics of Democrats running for president. From Thomas Jefferson to Barack Obama, Trautman uses biography, ideology, campaign strategy and public policies to depict the many different points of contact between Democrats and underdogs.

The core values of equality, fairness and nondiscrimination are analyzed.

Trautman, who has been at CMCC since 2001, earned his Ph.D. in political science at the University of Hawaii. He is editor of The New Populist Reader. He has taught political science for various colleges and universities, and has worked as a newspaper columnist, policy analyst in the Michigan State Senate and a research assistant for “Meet The Press.” He has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to serve as a visiting lecturer next semester at EUC Nordvestsjaelland in Holbaek, Denmark.

A brief reception will follow Trautman’s presentation at 6 p.m. in Jalbert lecture hall. Light refreshments will be served. Copies of the book will be available for sale.