Ban Ki-Moon's Leadership Style - Research Paper Example

?Ban Ki-Moon's Leadership Style Before becoming the secretary general of United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon was South Korea’s foreign minister. He took charge from Kofi Anan in 2007 as the eighth secretary general of United Nations. His leadership styles were supported and criticized by many people in the world. Some people believe that Ban Ki-Moon is a successful leader whereas others are of the view that like most of his predecessors, he is also a toy secretary in the hands of United States. This paper critically analyses Ban Ki-Moon's Leadership Style. Ian Williams, pointed out that from the beginning of his term in office, in 2007, Ban worked hard to ensure an influential turnout for this General Assembly, lobbying governments across the globe to attend. But ostentatious do-gooding is not in the quiet style of the former South Korean foreign minister (Umpire of the World, p.60). Ban is not at all interested in doing something to boost his images. He is interested in doing meaningful things rather than face saving things. According to Jonah (2011), “Ban Ki-Moon's prospect of being reelected is high due to the fact that he was able to reassure some of the permanent Security Council members of his neutrality”(Jonah, p.59). It should be noted that America is the only superpower in the world at present even though China is raising stiff challenges to America. Moreover, except China, all the other permanent members of Security Council are in good relations with America. Even communist China does not have many problems in giving one more tenure to Ban Ki-Moon, as UN’s secretary general. Moreover, “Moscow is mulling support for Ban Ki-moon's nomination for a second term as UN secretary general” (Interfax, p.1). These facts clearly suggest that Ban Ki-Moon's leadership style is acceptable to all. In other words, Ban Ki-Moon is successful in keeping neutrality in his leadership style. Jonah also pointed out that “Ban Ki-Moon was criticized by some human rights activists for his failure to make the defense of human rights as a conclusive note of his administration” (Jonah, p.59). It is a fact that human right violations are taking place in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan like countries. In all these countries, America or Israel is accused of conducting missions which end up in severe human right violation. However, Ban seems to be silent on these issues. He is not at all asking United States or Israel to stop their massacres at different parts of the world. Critics of Ban believe that he is keeping a pro-American stand in his functioning. Ian William (2010) pointed out that in a speech delivered at 22nd Summit Conference of the League of Arab States held in Sirte, Libya on March 27, 2010, “Ban commented on issues related to the situation in Gaza and stated his support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state” (Ban Ki-moon's Soft-Spoken Approach Belies His Straightforward Words, p.20). Even though Ban criticized some of the actions of Israel in this speech, he was keen to use only soft words to criticize Israel. In fact many people believe that he had no other way to avoid criticizing Israel in this meeting since the meeting was organized by Arab states. On the other hand, scholars such as Ian Williams believe that Ban is successfully handling some of the matters involved by Israel. He has pointed out that “Ban Ki-Moon's persuasion forced Israel to accept an international fact-finding inquiry into the Gaza flotilla assault”(Ban Ki-moon Engages Israeli Politicians, as Israel Remains Mum on Kosovo Precedent, p.19). Earlier, Israel was adamant in their approaches and they never accepted the offers to allow any international agencies to interfere in their matters. They never allowed any international agencies to enter Israel’s territories to conduct any enquiries. However, Ban was successful in persuading Israel to allow a neutral enquiry by an international body about Gaza flotilla assault. Schlesinger (2010) mentioned that America sidelined United Nations while dealing with issues related to “Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and North Korea and on other matters like global warming and terrorism” (Schlesinger, p.87). America is currently executing their missions at their own will in most parts of the world and UN seems to be a silent observer. It should be noted that the tensions between Iran and America is growing day by day now. Many people believe that America may open another war front in Iran in near future itself. However, UN seems to be sleeping amidst all these growing tensions. Ban seems to be keeping a diplomatic silence over these issues. There are political analysts who believe that too much diplomacy is involved in the functioning of Ban which is not good. Another major criticism labeled against Ban Ki-moon’s leadership is that “he appointed his own people and stamped his own priorities on the organization” (Ban Ki-Moon's People, p.10). In other words, Ban was keen in appointing those people who are supporters of his policies. While appointing UN officials at various parts of the world or while posting UN peace keeping forces at different parts of the world, Ban gave more emphasize to preserve his interests. “He tries to cement his position a little wonkily through issues, with the world financial crisis sharing the top of the priority list with global warming” (Ban’s Way, p.8). Many people believe that Ban like to have one more term in UN secretary’s office and for that purpose he deliberately trying to gain support from all major powers. Even though Ban is commanding respect from all the major powers in the world, he failed to command respect from some of the problematic countries. For example, it is reported that “Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is facing international pressure to end a crackdown on anti-government protestors, is not taking the U.N. chief's phone calls” (International Business Times). This is understandable since Bashar is keen in securing his place in Syria amidst the pressure from international community to step down. Ban is not only keen in solving international political problems, but also in solving environmental problems. While addressing a meeting of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change he said that “Our response to climate change will not be effective if it sacrifices the poverty eradication and development aspirations of developing countries” (UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's address to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change upon the release of the Fourth Assessment Synthesis Report, p.20). Even though environmentalist may see some dangers in Ban’s opinion, it is evident that Ban is not only keen in protecting the environment but also in protecting the interests of developing countries. To conclude, Ban’s leadership style is somewhat acceptable to all major powers in the world. Ban is interested in doing things silently rather than making too many noises to grab the attention of international community. Because of the acceptance of his leadership style, all over the world, he could be elected unanimously again as the secretary general of UN in the coming election. Works Cited “Ban Ki-Moon's People”. 2007. Africa Confidential, 10/5/2007, Vol. 48 Issue 20, “Ban’s Way”. 2009. The Nation. July 6, 2009. EBSCOHost Interfax. “Moscow Mulling Support for Ban Ki-Moon's Nomination for Second Term”. Russia & FSU General News, 6/7/2011, International Business Times. “Assad ignoring Ban Ki-Moon's Phone Calls”. 2010. International Business Times, 20110610. EBSCOHost Jonah, James O. C. “Ki-Moon as Key Player”. 2011.Harvard International Review, Spring2011, Vol. 33 Issue 1 Schlesinger, Stephen. “Bosom Buddies? Ban and Obama’s Curious Relations”.2010. World Policy Journal • Spring 2010 “UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Address to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change upon the release of the Fourth Assessment Synthesis Report”. 2008. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, March, 1, 2008 EBSCOHost Williams, Ian. “Umpire of the World”. 2010. New Statesman. September 27, 2010. EBSCOHost Williams, Ian. “Ban Ki-moon Engages Israeli Politicians, as Israel Remains Mum on Kosovo Precedent”. Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, Sep/Oct2010, Vol. 29 Issue 7 Williams, Ian. “Ban Ki-moon's Soft-Spoken Approach Belies His Straightforward Words”. 2010. Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, May/Jun2010, Vol. 29 Issue 4, Read More