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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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