Haitian Leverage

The first question countless people ask when observing external disaster: how can this benefit me?

While politicians may not admit to such callous emotions it almost certainly will cross their minds at some point. The Haitian disaster that has claimed the lives of at least 200,000 has inevitable been hi-jacked by such self-serving people. For governments and politicians there seems to be two main strategies of self-interest.

For smaller nations the strategy is one of self-promotion. For many reasons it is in the best interest of these governments to give generously to the people of Haiti. Doing so highlights the humanitarian spirit of the country and raises their international profile. If a country can boast a high ratio of donated money per citizen they will garden acclaim from all over the world. Larger 'world powers' face a different sort of playing field. Countries like the U.S. and the U.K. have frequently made claims to lead the world through decency and compassion. If they fail to live up to these expectations in this crisis then their entire ethos will be undermined. These powers need to act in order to preserve themselves. Obama does not want another Katrina.

So should we decry this hollow form of 'charity'? Indeed, does it even count as charity if the giver gains from it? I am tempted to take the line that our idealogical basis of charity is flawed and as such should be addressed, This would negatively affect the short term aid policy while hopefully creating a more generous and compassionate world in the long term. But the state of events in Haiti simply does not allow me to comfortably make this claim.

These people need aid and for once, the end might actually justify the means.

-The English Student

Can We Have Our Nobel Prize Now?

Barack Obama? Really?!

I was completely shocked yesterday to wake up and find that U.S. President Barack Obama had been awarded the Nobel Prize for peace. From 205 nominees, the Nobel Committee decided that this international celebrity was deserving of this prize, despite the fact that he was nominated eleven days after taking office and is just coming off the back of a complete failure in the international community after his attempt to bring the Olympics to his home of Chicago. This president has not even achieved what he intended in his short term domestically, let alone in foreign policy.

But wait, lets ignore the escalating war in Afghanistan and the inequitable steps taken in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for a moment and give the Nobel Committee some credit. Perhaps we should look at the reason cited for awarding the peace prize to Barack Obama. "The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons." When we consider that Obama has really done very little to work for a world without nuclear weapons, it is clear that this award is for intentions. Giving a peace prize for the intentions of peace and for the potential of peace is simply ridiculous. Surely the Nobel Committee should be more concerned with tangible efforts that have really helped create peace in the world, not hopeful promises. They don't award Olympic medals for people who intend to excel and they should not for what was once the most illustrious award one could receive.

There is an even worse implication from this award. What straight thinking, empathetic and decent person would not wish for a world without nuclear weapons? Even political "hawks" would happily get rid of these abominations if it could be assured that they were completely eradicated from every country. In giving this award for the vision of Barack Obama, the Nobel Committee has implied that this vision of peace is lacking in everyone else. Apparently, Obama's hope for world peace is more pure and wholesome than ours and so should be awarded. In effect, the Nobel Committee has derided the rest of humanity that had a vision of world peace long before Obama appeared.

The Nobel Committee needs to award everyone a peace prize or fall into disrepute. This is the only way to give the rest of us our robbed dignity back.

-The English Student

A Victory Speech For Barack Obama

Fellow Americans, we have arrived at a momentous occasion.

It has taken us a long time to get here, we have seen prejudice, violence and hatred in our history. Not only hatred towards African Americans, but women, old, young and Hispanic Americans. Their voice was often unheard, their dreams denied.

But I believe that today we have heard the voice of this country. It is a voice that has rung out strong amongst the cynics, a voice that has shattered the myth of apathy and declared with thundering certainty: Yes we can!

Of course, having the power to change is just a step towards this change. We must put aside our old divisions and look for unity when facing the challenges ahead. As two opposing sides, we will only create enmity. But as one, we can affect great change for the future of our country, and the future of our world.

I have heard your voice today and together, we can face whatever comes tomorrow.

-The English Student

A New Era?

In the past two years we have seen the end of many political eras in various countries. This timing is not a coincidence.

The retirement of Tony Blair, the apparent (or pending) fall of Mugabe, Bertie Ahern's notice of resignation, the newly founded presidency of Medvedev and Sarkozy and the upcoming U.S. elections all coincide with each other in a relatively small time period. This pattern can tell us many things about current societal trends.

People are dissatisfied with their current leaders of government. Every culture is now influenced by the diversity prevalent in neighbouring areas. This range is expressed by societal contrasts and comparisons. Our more "open" age of information and technology has effectively changed the political focus of the world. Citizens seems to be looking for a political structure that can adequately address the issues of trade, identity, security and culture that are inherent in this development.

However, can these new regimes be confidently seen to encompass these issues? It is problematic to place all new political entities in one camp or the other. At best, one can say that some of these new leaders understand this diversity, while others do not. Crucially, the success of these administrations will depend on their acceptance of this more transnational doctrine.

"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold" and the movement from the centre to an all encompassing political backdrop can only be beneficial.

-The English Student

U.S. Presidential Nominations

After clinching the Republican nomination, John McCain commended his running mates for an honourable and fair process. Unfortunately for him, the "honour" of this contest may be the undoing of his party this year.

Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have fought a long and protracted competition, moving from coast to coast in a bid to clinch the Democratic nomination for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. At times, this battle has been anything but honourable, with both sides trading blows on a personal level.

The global attention garnered from these often petty attacks has created a worrying situation for any detractor of the Democratic Party. By firmly grasping the majority of media coverage, Obama and Clinton have become the main focal points of this election. The seemingly underhanded techniques of each campaign have ensured that this nomination has basically become the actual presidential election.

But this is not the only advantage gained from the high level of awareness the Democratic candidates have reaped. By drawing attention to their campaigns, the policies and ideals that Obama and Clinton stand for have become accountable and intensely debated. This creates a more transparent version of the political competition and in doing so, the Democrats are assured to emerge with a candidate that has well developed and defensible opinions.

In what is essentially a broken democratic system, it is something of a relief to find at least some accountability.

-The English Student