Reclamation of Political and Economic Leadership

I feel as if the time has come for me to comment on the state of my homeland. New Zealand has been my home now for four years. Watching the world, particularly America, from the South Pacific has given me a unique perspective on American culture and influence. I think of it as Echoes of America. When one lives in a culture, you become acclimatized to your surroundings. It is difficult to take in the rest of the world because you are so wrapped up in the world right in front of you. However, there are still echoes inside reverberating from the culture and country from which you’ve come. In a small country, it is too difficult to ignore the rest of the world. Your entire existence depends on it. When you are in America, you have everything you need. There is a false perception that everything that is required for life to take place can be found within your own borders. You become insulated, not realising just how much you need and depend on the rest of the world. This article is summary of my thoughts and reflection on Echoes of America, how an American living in a foreign country views, criticises, praises and critiques the culture in which they were raised. Have no doubts; I am a red-blooded American. I still have a strong commitment and loyalty to the Country that has given me so much. It is because of this loyalty and patriotism that I feel I must comment.

The United States has been a dominant economic and political power for more than a century. However, I cannot help but think that its days as a global influence are numbered. The economic conditions leave much to be desired. There are massive losses in the subprime real estate market (Dolan, 2007), the greenback is at a 30-year low (Andrews, 2007), there is volatility in both the stock market and banking sector (Associated Press, 2007). These are just a few instances that can be found in the pages of major newspapers and reporting agencies. In my opinion, these financial issues are bringing us closer to the tipping point; to an impending collapse. It has almost been 80 years since the last Great Depression. Although there have been several economic downturns since then, the present generation of Americans does not know what it means to go without. American influence and affluence has spread around throughout the Western World. It is rapidly taking root in the two-thirds world, although, with slightly different variations. In his book on globalization, Joseph Stiglitz (2002) discusses the difference in the approach taken by the East in pursuing the benefits of capitalism. The US grew steadily into its dominance. It had time to adapt and adjust its culture, laws and social conventions to move with growing wealth that the county experienced. In comparison, Stiglitz contrasts China and Russia. China has been slowly embracing a free market economy. The Chinese government has strict control over its economy and are taking measured steps to implement change. Russia, on the other hand, threw open to the door to democracy and free-markets after years of communism and closed markets. The result: corruption and chaos. The People of Russia are now longing for a strong leader who will again rescue them from the corruption they thought they had escaped. Putin stands on the verge of reworking the Russian Constitution so that he can hold on to power after his presidential term expires (Levy, 2007). As America approaches what might be considered its twilight years, there are other not far behind who will be ready and willing to take her place as a global economic superpower.

It’s not just economics that should concern us. America’s political power and influence has also dwindled greatly over the last eight years. September 11, 2001 could have been a day to bring the country and the world closer together. Instead, it has served as a painful reminder of America’s arrogance; its belief that might makes right. As a country we had the opportunity to prove the terrorist wrong. We do not desire to inflict our views and the oppressed. Nor are we a people who live for our own comforts, caring little for those who are hungry, homeless, and destitute. September 11th was our opportunity to walk onto the world stage and disprove the American stereotype. Unfortunately, we responded with patriotism instead of compassion, wilfulness instead of submission, and anger instead of love. We have reinforced the stereotype of the obnoxious American who can do no wrong. The world owes us their allegiance because we have given them unhealthy fast foods, rap music that glorifies gang violence, and ‘freedom’ from oppression. America’s Independence means slavery for so many countries around the world. Just as the economic tides are shifting, so are the currents of political power.

For centuries global dominance and power has moved westward. America has held this position for more than a century. The current is about to sweep across the Pacific to the China or India. Both countries have populations of over a billion people. It will not be long before the majority stands up against being ruled by the minority. The US must focus intensely on improve its foreign relations so that it will at least be invited to the table when the balance of power shifts. The US has become so accustomed to calling the shots, deciding who was or was not included in the process of key decision making. Rapid change is needed in the political realm if we are to maintain our influence. There is little hope for this at the moment. Both the Republican and Democratic parties are flooded with candidates trying to distinguish themselves. Unfortunately for most of us, the only thing that is different between most of them is the colours we associate with them; red and blue.

America has lost its moral authority by displaying hypocritical leadership at all levels of government. A moral relativism has replaced truth. This is a particularly slippery slope when it comes to making and enforcing the laws of the land. Recently, the CIA was criticized for destroying potential terrorist interrogation tapes. There has been an increasing outcry from Congress with regards to the methods used and captured on tape. However, the Washington Post reported that a handful of key Congressional leadership, on both sides of the aisle, were briefed on the interrogation practices that were to be implemented in the process of extracting information from terror suspects. With no objections being made, the CIA went ahead with its methods. Now, a few years later, during election time, both sides are trying to distance themselves from what they knew and obfuscate their own responsibility. An unnamed US office, recalling that there were no objections to the torture methods during the earlier briefings, is quoted as saying, “In fairness, the environment was different then because we were closer to Sept. 11 and people were still in a panic.” The official continues, “But there was no objecting, no hand-wringing. The attitude was, 'We don't care what you do to those guys as long as you get the information you need to protect the American people” (Eggen, 2007).

Economic and Political strength are important aspects of leadership within the world. But, this strength should never be used to bully, coerce or demean another culture or government. The US must begin the struggle to regain their moral authority if they are to continue to expect the rest of the world to listen or follow its lead.

Bibliography
Andrews, E. L. (2007, October 10). U.S. Affects a Strong Silence on Its Weak Currency. Retrieved December 11, 2007, from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/10/business/worldbusiness/10dollar.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Associated Press. (2007, December 7). Shares Slip Further on Fear of Bank Debt. Retrieved December 11, 2007, from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/business/05stox.html

Dolan, M. (2007, November 21). U.S. mortgage-related losses likely up to $300 billion: OECD. Retrieved December 11, 2007, from Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSL2164562520071121

Eggen, J. W. (2007, December 9). Hill Briefed on Waterboarding in 2002. Retrieved December 11, 2007, from Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120801664.html?nav=rss_world/asia

Levy, C. J. (2007, December 4). Putin Basks in Election Win Despite Broad Criticism. Retrieved December 11, 2007, from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/world/europe/04russia.html

Stiglitz, J. (2002). Globalization and its discontents. St Ives: Penguin.