Admittedly there were several other candidates who have throughout a longer time strived to “work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”[iii], which are the conditions for this award as stated by Alfred Nobel, the inventor of the Nobel Prize and ironically also of dynamite. Someone who comes to mind is former President Bill Clinton, who during his presidency promoted peace negotiations in the Middle East and Yugoslavia and restored US diplomatic relations with Vietnam and even after his presidency continues to be engaged in peace efforts as a Special Envoy of the United Nations. He also established the Clinton Foundation which has global programs in health security, economic empowerment, leadership development and citizen service and lastly, racial, ethnic and religious reconciliation[iv].
I believe that the choice of award was truly a strategic move, much like the award to Gorbachev in 1990. Unlike other Nobel Prizes, which recognize completed accomplishments, the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to people or organizations that are in the process of resolving a conflict or creating peace. With this award, it seems that the Nobel Prize Committee was seeking to boost the use of multilateral diplomacy and validate President Obama’s position on the global stage. President Obama himself viewed this award as a “call to action” rather than recognition of his accomplishments and said he would continue to push for several international objectives including nuclear nonproliferation, a reversal of the global economic downturn and a resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict[v]. Senator John McCain also pointed out the increased responsibility that President Obama has gained when he stated in an interview “I think part of their decision making was expectations and I’m sure the President understands that he now has even more to live up to”[vi].
While most would agree that it is too premature to evaluate fully President Obama’s impact on building peace in the world, several of his efforts cannot be ignored. One of President Obama’s first actions when he came into office was to announce the closure of Guantanamo Bay. His reaching out to the Muslim world just a couple months into his presidency with his speech in Cairo was also significant of his desire to bridge differences and foster increased cooperation. His efforts with regards to nuclear non-proliferation, climate change and the involvement of the international community, including Iran, in redefining the Afghan strategy has also been notable indicating the return of multilateral diplomacy. Specifically with regards to the Afghan Strategy, the shift to a more people-centric approach and the use of increased civilian technical support has demonstrated that the President is not only concerned with defeating the enemy, but also ensuring lasting peace by addressing the Afghan people’s needs and concerns.
There is no doubt that in a small period of time President Obama has presented not only a national, but also a worldview focused on unity, compassion, fraternity, responsibility and cooperation, among other values. While the impact of his efforts have not always been clear and he has perhaps not been a major peace player as long as others, one has to admit that being the most powerful man in the world, he is in the position with the greatest ability to impact everyone. The Nobel Peace Prize enforces this responsibility.
Mariam Zan
[i] BBC News “Obama Wins 2009 Nobel Peace Award” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8298580.stm)
[ii] Nobel Prize Organization (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/index.html)
[iii] Nobel Prize Organization (http://nobelprize.org/alfred_nobel/will/short_testamente.html)
[iv] Clinton Foundation (http://www.clintonfoundation.org/about-the-clinton-foundation/)
[v] CNN “Nobel Peace Prize is call to action” (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html)
[vi] Ibidem
Mariam Zan
I appreciate and applaud the Nobel Committee's intentions regarding this prize, but it is too soon. He has no tangible progress, except for speeches. The nomination window closed 11 days into his presidency and he definitely had no done enough to merit the selection in those 11 days. I find it ridiculous that muhammad yunus had to wait 30 years for recognition of his microfinance efforts and obama got his in 11 days. He definitelyhas improved the United States standing with muslim countries but this is too soon. let him negiotiate peace in Iran or Afghanistan first.
ResponderEliminarhttp://www.chomsky.info/talks/20090921(2).htm
ResponderEliminarI suggest this for an alternative view.
I agree with the premise of your article especially the point about the Europeans (the Nobel Peace Prize is a good indicator of European feelings) wanting to send a message to the US that they are very pleased with US's new foreign policy "Anti-Bush vote". An anecdotal evidence is my French brother-in-law Gilbert--an executive of major bank Societe Gererale in Paris refusal to travel to the US "as long as Bush is the president". Gilbert finally came to Chicago in September of this year.
ResponderEliminarAnother angle in the Nobel Prize Committee's decision--in my view--was the concept of "let's do it while the going is good". In 2009, president Obama is still popular as he enjoys his extended honeymoon. In my view the situation in Afghanistan will worsen in 2010 and beyond (Obama's Vietnam). Something that will make it extremely difficult to award Obama the Peace Nobel Prize in future years. So, the Nobel Committee wisely seized the opportunity to award him the prize now rather than risking not being able to award it to him at all.
Hi Kyle.Thanks for your comments and for providing the link. I'd just like to point out, like you mentioned, that yes the deadline for nominations for 2009 was February 1st so if someone wanted to nominate Obama they only had until then to do it, however that didn't mean that he had any chance whatsoever of winning the prize. The total number of nominees for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was 205.He was shortlisted 2 months into his Presidency and selected 8 months into his presidency as the winner. He is a link to the nomination process: http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html
ResponderEliminarI disagree with the most powerful man in the world being Obama. Hu Jintao in China could totally destory the American economy by selling off debt. I am a fan of Obama, I did not vote for him because I did not get my absentee ballot sent in on time, but I would have. I want to see change, but so far he has not delievered. If he wants to bring unity he can simply write an executive order and allow gays to join the military. He has not pushed for peace with Afghanistan so far. Yes, the human terrain system and other strategie are lessening the toll on the civilian populations of Afghanistan and Iraq. But he has not negotiated a ceasefire or peace treaty with the Taliban. I realize it is highly unlikely that will ever happen, but in my opinion you must do something to earn the prize. Simply creating an environment of unity and brotherhood is not enough. I have no anti-Obama bias, but he did notdeserve this prize. He won it because euros hate bush and he is a rockstar. However, Al Gore's winning th e prize is an even worse gaffe. The man was a senator and vice-president for a long time and did absolutely nothing while he was in power to merit the prize. Now he fleis around on PRIVATE jets to talk about climate change.
ResponderEliminar