Unity and Diversity in Contemporary America - Article Example

Unity and diversity in Contemporary America affiliation Obama, a progressive pragmatist President Barrack Obama has greatly proven capable of upholding high quality leadership through exhibiting an enviable character of pragmatic progressiveness. When people are empowered to decide and take control of issues affecting. So much has changed and the world is marveled with how Obama handles both internal and international policies ranging from economic factors, peace, war, and natural calamities. Obama has not only been present on the table where a variety of matters in concerning world welfare have been discussed but has also been involved in seeing the implementation of what is planned. In this piece of writing, we are going to discuss and justify in depth the pragmatic Obama. President Obama’s foreign policies and decision making undergoes intensive planning and careful evaluation, only two years in his presidency Obama achieved success in four out of five countries he had earlier on engaged in national security issues. In events that seem out of control and beyond his capacity president Obama does not make snarl decisions based on certain ideologies but he resorts to analyzing how the events stretch out.. Not more than two years of his presidency, Obama has faced many foreign policy situations than any of his precursors. His leadership has been put to test in all perspectives availing a ground upon which criticism from his opponents and evaluation from his supporters use to rate him in matters to do with foreign policy (Obiwuru et al. 2011). Way back during his presidential campaigns, Obama set forth several strategies and principles that would be the path to his foreign policies. This includes the five denotative national security policy issues that he made the priority; to put an end to war in Iraq, to reduce nuclear weapons in the world, fight the terrorist groups that are Al Qaeda and Taliban, energy safety and reconstructing the confederations and working other countries in tackling today’s challenges. War in Iraq had been an issue that affected the overall world peace, this being one of the priorities president Obama managed to decimate this war with little criticism and minimal international concern (Lowenthal 2010). President Obama began by withdrawing 10000 soldiers from Iraq and launching operation new dawn that replaced the operation Iraqi freedom in 2010. The American soldiers were given new missions of advising, training, and helping the Iraqi security forces in bringing order and peace. Even though plan to withdraw the US soldiers was prior to president Obama’s election he is the one responsible for effecting the plan and largely credited for the success. Earlier on president Obama had promised to increase material support and attention to combating al Qaeda and the Taliban that were the major terrorism groups in the world. It has been a success through the unreserved effort demonstrated by President Obama through an in increase of diplomatic assistance and civilian help. Afghanistan and Pakistan that were most affected benefited a lot in this process. Obama improved the fight against these terrorists by enhancing the number of drone snipe in Pakistan and in Afghanistan by large promoting counterterrorism. Although this attracted criticism since the number of troops almost tripled increasing the US economic burden. The advancement in the military field has poses a threat to the world’s state of peace with creation of new and dangerous weapons. Nuclear weapons are by far much dreaded that any other war machinery today, it is absolutely necessary to control the making of nuclear weapons as stated by the United Nations (Spetalnick 2013). President Obama has ensured that nuclear materials and nuclear weapons have are controlled. Obama made this a priority long before he became the president of the United States of America. It is pleasing that he did not abandon this precious policy when he became president. In April 2009 in Prague President Obama clearly stated his stand on the war against nuclear weapons in the world. The signing of the Nuclear Security Summit and New Start Treaty formed the preliminary stage towards achieving this goal. He used a diplomatic approach in pushing for the dismantling of nuclear weapons programs than using force President Obama believes that citizens of any country are entitled to taking charge of their economic and political destiny. The recent political and economic changes in Egypt and Libya have been occasioned by the full involvement of the citizens of these countries. While Cairo in 2009, president Obama asserted that it was unfit and lack of virtue for one nation to impose a system of government to another except by choosing of the citizens and that the government should exhibit democratic will. Obama used political and cultural interactions and partnership in developing policies that will favour progressive pragmatism in the Middle East countries. In Egypt, Obama’s office prompted President Mubarak to respond clearly to the Egyptian people worries. However, the Mubarak’s regime was unwilling to adequately address the grievances of its subjects. Although Obama’s administration was treated with several criticisms, it did not take an active part in fueling the Egyptian revolution in as much as it got involved in concealed dialogue to overthrow President Mubarak. Just as Obama stated, the Egyptian themselves took charge of their country and decided on which path it should follow (Carland & Carland 2007). It well known that the citizens pushed for change of the government until president Mubarak stepped down. The white house actually did not offer any military support but pieces of diplomatic advice. Egypt is yet to gain stability but hope lies in the stewardship of the citizens and through peace and democracy, it will be easy to achieve the desired future of this country. A similar case also happened in Libya whereby Obama resorted to using passive means of phasing out the Gadhafi’s regime rather than use war. Though he gave little justification for using the international coalition’s military, this provided more time and chance for the Libyans to determine their own course of leadership. Obama’s decision not to use force in advocating for political change in Egypt and Libya clearly paints his character as a progressive pragmatist. Diplomatic relations and alliances with many other countries have drastically grown in Obama’s time. Obama has gone further in rewiring the cordial relationship with Russia and China that was initially not favourable (Jacobs 2010). The zeal to unite all countries in the world is strongly exhibited by Obama’s prudence in employing diplomatic skills in advising Iran against its nuclear programs while building on the mutual political rapprochement. Obama’s foreign policy is grounded on the urgency to unify all countries with the aim of working together to cruise through all political social economic and environmental challenges we face today. President Obama made a heroic contribution in 2011 when he championed the financing for Planned Parenthood and prevented the Republicans intention to limit environmental ordinances. In the same way president, Obama saved the government the frustration of crushing into the first shutdown in 15 years. Here it is rather open that Obama assumed the pivotal role in of providing suitable and lasting solution than being part of the problem (Zengerle 2010). The positive attitude compounded by the relentless urge to achieve the best for the Americans drives president Obama in making wise decisions. After the Haiti earthquake the United States was on the lead to providing help and rescue services, the devastating catastrophe hit this country during Obama’s reign (STOREY, 2007). The intensity and urgency with which the US provided humanitarian support was far much impressive that that witnessed during the Deep-water Horizon oil spill in the Mexican Gulf. The whole change is attributed to Obama’s pragmatism in matters of emergency. Further analysis can reveal that president Obama is more willing to engage in activities that better the international wellbeing, probably more than his predecessors. An analysis on how president Obama handles foreign and security policy reveals that he has unique abilities shown by his reliability in handling certain types of crises. President Obama is well heeled once the decisions are made concerning certain policies; he readily assigns authority all over his administration. The acts of delegating authority and direct involvement all together modify him as an action oriented leader who has the best of citizens’ interest at his heart (Olsen 2010). Moreover, Obama’s desire to achieve all of the five priorities even in the difficult of worldwide economic crisis defines the visionary and proactive leader he is In 2009, Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, which comes within the 9 months of his presidency. It is both a fact and an astonishing event at how fast he managed to scoop this prize; the main question perhaps is what great thing he did to attract this Nobel Prize. Obama is active when it comes to initiating and holding peace meeting is various countries. For instance, he has engaged in several peace talks in the Middle East countries (Dumbrell 2013). President Obama made it a priority to address the political upheavals through strategically planned actions seen in peaceful negotiations between the warring groups. Obama has turned out to be the peacemaker the world need, talk of the mitigation of tension that existed between North Korea and South Korea then it is all accredited to president Obama’s active role. President Obama is a role model not just to the black American but also to all youths in the United States. Obama is a socialist who is active on internet and other platforms of social interaction. Although, this has amounted to criticism as to whether Obama fits the constitutional criteria of being president, it stands undisputed. He is still man of high moral character that many emulate in many American households especially in the black Americans, there is a great sense of pride in president Obama resulting from his role as a family man (Bryer et al. 2010). Besides being the president, Obama is a devoted parent. This on a large scale shows how well he has reflected on the black community as a stable person in marriage. Energy security is one of the key issues that must be addressed with full attention to ensure that the world stands on a safe ground. The rapid changes and growth of world’s population puts a lot of pressure on the available nonrenewable energy. We attribute climate change to the utilization of nonrenewable sources of energy; Obama adopted and supported the use of renewable sources of energy to provide a lasting solution (Mckeever & Davies, 2012). In 2009, the stimulus bill availed over seventy billion dollars to cater for renewable energy and improving the standard of fossils fuel on the worldwide market. There was a significant increase in the exploitation of oil and gas in the United States. In summary, we justify Obama’s attribute of being a progressive pragmatist so many actions by revealing so many actions that he has undertaken to effect the required change. He has contributed in enforcing peaceful negotiations and treaties in several countries in the world. His versatility in fostering the international alliances is also greatly rewarding, the harmonious co-existence of many nations has worked to the advantage of healthy economic growth and war against terrorism. When president initially stipulated his plans for the United States and the world at large all this seemed unrealistic but now the authenticity lies in their achievement. The active role president Obama controlling nuclear weapons, safeguarding energy and calling for diplomatic actions in ending political injustices in the Middle East has done nothing less that modifying him as a great diplomat. The decision to empower people to take charge of their our countries seen in Egypt and Libya furthers this unique character of president Obama, at the time the world though he will resort to using force diplomacy and dialogue was used to safe the vessel. Obamas enviable character is not only limited in politics but also extend more into social life where he is viewed as role model to many American youths. His aggressive involvement on the internet and great family stewardship is more than enough to define him as a role model to many. References Bryer, T.A. et al., 2010. Public Administration Theory in the Obama Era. Administrative Theory & Praxis, 32, pp.118–122. Carland, J.C. & Carland, J.W., 2007. Intrapreneurship: A Requisite for Sucess. Entrepreneurial Executive, 12, pp.83–94. DUMBRELL, J. (2013). Issues in American politics: polarized politics in the age of Obama. London, Routledge. Jacobs, A., 2010. A Long Chat For Obama and Hu. New York Times, p.7. Lowenthal, A.F., 2010. The Obama Administration and the Americas. In Shifting the Balance: Obama and the Americas. pp. 1–28. MCKEEVER, R. J., & DAVIES, P. (2012). Politics USA. New York, Pearson. Obiwuru, T.C. et al., 2011. Effects of Leadership Style on Organizational Performance. Australian Journal of Business and Management Research, 1, pp.100–111. Olsen, E.A., 2010. U.S. Policies Toward North Korea Under The Obama Government. International Journal of Korean Studies, XIV, pp.35–62. STOREY, W. (2007). US government and politics. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press. Spetalnick, M., 2013. Obama defends surveillance effort as “trade-off” for security. Reuters. Zengerle, A.B. and P., 2010. Obama to ease U.S.-India export controls, boost trade. Reuters.  Read More