Internalisation
of America Verses Americanisation of the World
Dilrook
Kannangara
Barack Obama is the new American President, the most powerful individual
in the world. The irrelevance of race has been proven although race
did play a big role in electing him. He is widely expected to pull the
United States out of manyfold miseries. In doing so, invariably he will
ease world problems as well. Both Democrats and Republicans have American
national interests at heart and all Presidents function according to
the advisory governance of powerful US security establishments. This
greatly curtails what a President can do on his/her own initiative.
However, it still leaves enough space for him/her to champion the interests
of his/her voters over the interests of voters of the opponent.
Republicans have stood more for Americanisation of the world than Democrats
while Democrats were more concerned about internal wellbeing of America
and its citizens. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush (Sr) did
yeoman service to enforce American standards around the world and they
succeeded remarkably well. The Cold War ended with the United States
emerging as the winner. American interests around the world were supported
vigorously during their terms. This gave strategic value to Americans
in terms of better long term security, hence a lower (than otherwise)
defence spending, better economic prospects around the world, a louder
say in world affairs and the sole superpower status. In spite of all
these, in early 1990s there was a change and Democrats assumed power
and President William (Bill) Clinton stayed in office for two terms.
What triggered the change? Broadly it was a balancing act of externalisation
and internalisation. Again things changed when President Bush (Jr) assumed
power and he too lasted two terms. Time for change came again with a
more internal focus this time. On previous occasions one sphere (either
internal or external) was strong and the weak one needed to be uplifted.
However, this time the change is different in both internal and external
spheres. Unfortunately both the internal and external playgrounds and
battlegrounds are difficult this time. United States is fatigued by
two unwinnable wars; a third war is on the cards. Domestically the economy
is not in good shape plus a load of social problems bother the nation.
These social issues are going to play a vital role in Obama's policies,
budgets and functions as a very large section of the down trodden have
placed their trust in him. Leaving them stranded will cause huge flare-ups
across the country. These are likely to bog the Obama administration
down more than his predecessors.
On the other hand America also needs to assert itself in the world
arena. War losses in Iraq and/or Afghanistan will have a massive impact
on US's outlook as happened to the Soviet Union following the Afghan
War. To make things more difficult, Russia has bounced back from military
wilderness and it is already a threat to American defence interests
from Europe to the Arctic, Latin America to Africa and from Syria to
India. Although this developing front has not posed any threat so far,
it is already haunting American defence interests. Then there is China
which is flexing its military muscle as never before. US should do more
to remain relevant in geographic locations where emerging powers are
active. Thirdly regional arms races between India-China, Malaysia-Indonesia,
Iran-Saudi Arabia, Israel-Syria, Japan and China, Taiwan and China,
etc. need to be managed in the American favour, else these will grow
into unmanageable proportions affecting friendly nations. Fourthly a
resource race is emerging to grab oil fields around the world using
methods un-American to Americans, to say the least, in Sudan, Chad,
Libya, the Black Sea, etc. Allow these to proceed and the US will be
on its back foot when its attention turns to resources, human rights
and connected issues.
There is a strong possibility of another player emerging as the most
powerful nation during the term of Obama if he pays too little attention
to external issues. He got to revive exhausted America as soon as possible
and give it enough clout to handle external interests. However, the
most inexperienced President in recent times is faced with the most
complicated challenge ever to occur in recent times. He is capable no
doubt, but is he capable enough to manage tough internal demands and
external demands both at the same time, well enough to retain the perceived
and actual status of America?
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