Barack Obama: History Beckons

As the weight of history begins to settle around the shoulders of the first African-American President, the world waits with anticipation. The world has had a long wait and it now expects the change that has been promised to be delivered.

UK Parallels

In the past other leaders in the world have been elected on a agenda of change. That election was described as:

"an asteroid hitting the planet and destroying practically all life on Earth"

- Professor Anthony King, Essex University professor of government. (Source:wikipedia)

The election was the UK 1997 general election, Tony Blair and "new labour" promised an end to boom and bust, an end to Tory misrule and a return to government for the people and by the people.

The election was won due to Tony's charisma and a modernisation change agenda. Ok so there is a vast difference between the UK and the US but there are interesting parallels that can be drawn.

In 2007 Tony Blair left office in disgrace, the change agenda almost forgotten, and with Tony hated for his part in the IRAQ war and the "war on terror". In 4 0r 8 years is it possible that Barack will be leaving office in disgrace?

A future crisis

At some point in the future the Obama Presidency will be faced with a domestic or international crisis which hits hard and develops fast. Inaction would result in death and destruction and decisions must be taken based on incomplete and potentially unverifiable data. In other words it will be very hard to make the right decisive decision and history will be left to judge if it is the right one.

What will happen if a major hurricane like Katrina visits the US or another major terrorist incident like 9 /11. History will judge how a president reacts to such crisis but history neglects to mentions the pressures and realities on the day.

President Obama faces an immense day to day challenge as President of the USA but these events will be where true leadership is needed.

Hope

The hopes of the US nation and the world are not unfounded. Today we o stand on the edge of the beginning of the longest journey for change. The journey will not be easy, it will not be completed in one lifetime but it will be started and it will be completed because the world is united and committed to the future.

The inaugural address

Obama spoke with a certain amount of humility, how often do you hear the president of the United States declare:

"Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age."

It is very un-American to admit a weakness but in these times of global economic crisis perhaps it would have been naive and unrealistic not to have recommended the fundamental weakness that exist in the previously blemish free capitalist dream.

"...and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. "

Another reference to a much anticipated change in policy at the white house from an oil driven anti environment stance to sustainable development stance. This is definitely one issue where Obama and the US can make history. As one of the biggest CO2 emitters in the world the US has previously not engaged with environmental concerns always citing the threat and cost of reducing emissions against the health of the economy. At one point the US was even in the camp of believing that emissions would naturally reduce as technology improved. The US has not lead by example but with President Obama this is likely to change as Obama leads the world in the fight to save the environment.

"On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. "

Whenever I read a statement like that the cynic in me takes over, every politician since the year dot, has trotted out worn out phrases, in America one favourite is proclaiming an end of bipartisan politics. So Barack may well seek to end the strangulation of politics but he will have a hard fight on his hands as people will very cynically return to type. This is not to underestimate his commitment and will to get the job done. I have high hopes but it needs to more than rhetoric.

I do like his speech, he does a great section of the speech talking about the people that have gone before and about why America is so great. From an American perspective it is a very passionate patriotic speak that really talks up the past, present and future of America.

Obama really does talk of a solid reform agenda in all aspects of American life and where America leads in areas such as the environment the world will naturally follow.

"They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."

Another quote that resonates with humility and respect. A signal that what America has always know but never seemed to quite believe in, that is there are other means other than guns and war to settle differences. Perhaps Obama will invigorate world democracy through and with the UN with a fresh lead in how our difference can be resolved.

"We will not apologise for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defence, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. "

As the world's last super power it was predictable that with any overture or expression of peaceful intention would have to be tempered by a reminder to those that think they make take advantage of this that if necessary America will fight back, America cannot be beaten and if necessary America will defeat any enemy that seeks combat.

"...but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all."

A reminder of the value to any country that those that choose to serve for the public good make one of the biggest contributions a person can make. A return to those values will no doubt help Obama to change the world for the betterment of all mankind.

One final sentiment which is going to echo round the globe as a new era of hope starts.

"So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have travelled. "