Obama Assignment - Essay Example

OBAMA’S ELECTION VICTORY _ - CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Barrack Obama’s election victory comes at a time when there are three major crises facing the United States – two ongoing wars (on terrorism), an economy tottering on the brink, and a looming energy crisis. Following the recent elections, the optimism for a change in public policy is overwhelming as it is universally expected of him that he would introduce radical changes in public policy that would go far beyond the myopic vision of American policy that characterizes the Bush administration.

On one hand these are formidable hurdles, on another these represent opportunities for a truly unprecedented series of changes that could change the way that the world thinks about America, and America about itself. The organisation of the U.S. government system in general, is fundamentally based on promoting American capitalism at its core, and unless a change in this vital paradigm is brought about it is difficult to achieve a shift in public policy. Obama has said that America must be as careful in withdrawing troops as it was careless in going to war – but at the heart of the matter is the bigger question of newly-acquired U.S. oil interests in Iraq, with one of the world’s major untapped resources.

It is difficult to envisage the current U.S. administration to admit that there are vested economic interests in the war, and current political structure would certainly discourage the U.S. from making a U-turn. In turn, it is also linked to the energy crisis, as it will take time for America to build its renewable energy reserves, and thus oil-related geopolitical considerations would continue for a while. The cost of war is another issue : American firms rebuilding Iraq are also part of the complex geopolitical chain of economic considerations.

Even Obama’s personal profile and acceptability in the Arab world will hardly make it any easier to address this vital issue. Influencing public policy in this regard is likely to remain a major challenge fir the foreseeable future. Regarding the credit crisis and its effect on the American economy, the challenges are even greater. Obama’s agenda to create more jobs for Americans means that the existing credit-fuelled structure of the American market place has to be changed. Housing is one of the mainstays of American economic activity : to cause a shift to this will be a monumental task, as the housing sector is likely to stay depressed for a longer period of time.

Obama will face an uphill task with the Congress to raise minimum wages, amend NAFTA to benefit Americans more after discussion with the Canadians and the Mexicans. Supporting middle-class and low income families with tax cuts, and providing political support for organized labour and workers’ rights will take time to work, and will take more than a year of Obama’s term to have any impact. On one hand, he would be continue to be scrutinized and criticized by the far left and hard-nosed conservatives for the problems created by the previous administrations.

Yet, as he has often implied to intends to set up a truly bipartite government with significant Republican input, it would remain a challenge for him to implement policies that represent a significant departure from the previous government policies. In all fairness to him, any change has to be a gradual process given the nature of the American political and government structure, and the pressures on him to lead change and make the change working would be a difficult task. The distribution of party power in the government has to be considered from a true long-term perspective, with the best available people brought into the offices, irrespective of party affiliations if change has to work successfully in this time of crisis facing America.

At this juncture there are crucial public policy shifts necessary in domestic and foreign policy, the economy, industry, healthcare and energy; and a charismatic leadership that would place America’s best interests above party considerations is the main expectation that is facing Barrack Obama. He has to masterfully balance change and continuity as the two faces of opportunities and challenges. And in this he will certainly need all the support he can get from all corners of the American political system.

ReferencesBruhns, John (2008) The Obama Challenges. Retrieved from the internet on 06 November from : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sgt-john-bruhns/the-obama-challenges_b_137091.html