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8/14/2019 Makalah-Konferensi-INFID-Hotel-Millenium-Jakarta-2008, Jim_Riker_An Agenda for Leadership on Global Development

1/22

An Agenda for Leadersh ipon Global Developm ent :

Transform ing U.S. Foreign Pol ic y tow ardIndones ia?

Focus ing on t he Barack Obama Ef fec t

by:

James V. Riker, Ph.D.


2/22

An Agenda for Leadership on GlobalDevelopment:Transforming U.S. Foreign Policy

toward Indonesia?Focusing on the Barack Obama Effect

James V. Riker, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

Presented at the 15th INFID Conference on Dynamics ofDemocracy and Economic Development in Indonesia,

Jakarta, Indonesia, 27-30 October 2008


3/22

I. The Whole World Is Watching:

Global Perspectives on the U.S. Elections International polls conducted by Pew/BBC/PIPA and the

Economisthave all shown that people around the world are

strongly in favor of a Barack Obama presidency. Over 90 percent of U.S. citizens believe that the United

States is heading in the wrong direction (Washington Post).President Bushs approval rating is now at an all-time low of

27 percent. Senator Obama leads Senator McCain in the latest polls by

8 to 10 percent (CNN, October 21-23, 2008). Bill Clinton ispredicting a political earthquake on election day that will

lead to a victory of Senator Barack Obama as president, butalso significant increases in seats won by the DemocraticParty in the House (estimate: 24-30 seats) and the Senate(estimate 8-10 seats), thus giving the new president a

sizeable majority in both bodies of the U.S. Congress.


4/22

I. The Whole World Is Watching:

Global Perspectives on the U.S. Elections There is a critical need for immediate U.S.

presidential leadership on an overwhelmingagenda of both domestic and foreign policypriorities.

Many of the new members of the U.S. Congressmay not be as progressive or visionary as thePresident Obama, especially on key foreign

policy issues, such as climate change, foreignaid, trade agreements, and the Global War onTerror.


5/22

II. A Progressive Response for GlobalLeadership: Transforming U.S. Foreign

Policy through Soft Power? An amazing array of challenges at both the

domestic and foreign levels pose significantconstraints for transforming the United Statesrelationship with the world and for inspiring globalleadership.

Moreover, important questions remain whetherthe Bush Administration has booby-trapped thechances for any successes given the foreignpolicy problems, economic crisis and financialconstraints faced by the new government(i.e., the cupboard is bare there is no money!).


6/22

Daunting Challenges: The Bush Legacy andthe U.S. Capacity for Global Leadership (1)


7/22

Daunting Challenges: The Bush Legacy and

the U.S. Capacity for Global Leadership (2)

The next president [of the United States] willinherit leadership of a nation that is still the mostpowerful in the world a nation rich with thecontinued promise of its dynamic andincreasingly diverse population, a nation thatcould, and must, again inspire, mobilize, andlead the world. At the same time, the nextpresident will inherit a more difficult opening-day

set of international problems than any of hispredecessors have since at least the end ofWorld War II. -- Richard Holbrooke (2008: 2).


8/22

Daunting Challenges: The Bush Legacy andthe U.S. Capacity for Global Leadership (3)

Military Power (hard power): Despite having worlds strongestmilitary, the world is more dangerous, Americas enemies aremore numerous, and its international standing is vastlydiminished (Gordon, 2008: 1).

Economic Power (hard power): Due to the growing financial

crisis, the U.S. economy faces the prospects for a long-termrecession and reduced government funding for both domesticand foreign policy priorities. (U.S. Federal Debt = $10+ trillion)

Power of Ideas (soft power): A new vision and ideas areneeded to inspire, mobilize, and actualize global leadershipto solve critical global issues (Nye, 2004 & 2008).


9/22

Daunting Challenges: The Bush Legacy and

the U.S. Capacity for Global Leadership (4)Approach Three Shocks to

Global Economy

(focus on stability)

Three ConvergingGlobal Crises

(focus on change)

Commodity

vs. Process

Global Food Shock Climate Change

Crisis

Commodity

vs. Process

Global Oil Shock Peak Oil Crisis

MarketCorrection

vs. Process

Global Financial

Shock

Biodiversity Crisis(loss of species)


10/22

Strategic Vision (and ideas) for

Inspiring Global Leadership Does the U.S. possess the vision and

ideas to inspire multilateral cooperation toaddress these global crises? G-20 Summit on November 15th will address the

Global Financial Crisis where the emphasis willbe mainly on stabilization of financial markets.Limited prospect for addressing global

economic planning, governance and theNorth-South economic gap.

Obama proposes major global initiatives on

climate change and renewable energy solutions.


11/22


12/22

Relationships (partners) for

Actualizing Global Leadership What are possibilities for meaningful

multilateral cooperation given U.S.unilateralism over last 8 years? Obama advocates renewed emphasis on

global diplomacy and development by buildingmeaningful alliances with key partnergovernments and institutions.

If U.S. builds trust and takes clear steps formultilateral cooperation, many nations areprepared to engage in shared global action.


13/22

III. Changing U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities

Obamas first priority is to end the war in Iraq andnegotiate a responsible, phased withdrawal ofU.S. combat troops in consultation with Iraq.

Obama proposes a new transformative globalagenda in favor of dignity promotion that fixesthe conditions of misery that breed anti-

Americanism and prevent liberty, justice andprosperity from taking root. (Ackerman, 2008:7). Obama has called for the United States to re-

assert it global leadership with a renewedemphasis on partnerships with other nations andan emphasis on engaged multilateralism throughthe United Nations, IMF and World Bank.


14/22

Curbing Climate Change

Obama advocates ratification of the Kyoto Protocoland full re-engagement in developing a new globalagreement under the UN Framework Convention onClimate Change (UNFCC).

Obama proposes an economy-wide cap-and-tradeprogram to reduce U.S. global greenhouse gasemissions 80 percent by 2050.

Obama proposes that 10 percent of U.S. electricityis generated by renewable energy sources by 2012and 25 percent by 2025.

Obama proposes creating a Global Energy Forumof the worlds largest emitters (including China andIndonesia) to focus on clean global energy and

environmental issues.


15/22

Eradicating Poverty

Obama has endorsed the MillenniumDevelopment Goal (MDG) of reducing extreme

poverty by 50 percent by 2015. He will doubleforeign development assistance to $50 billion by2012 to achieve that goal.

Obama proposes to invest at least $50 billion by2013 to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, andmalaria.

Obama proposes a $2 billion Global EducationFund to develop primary education in

impoverished areas.


16/22


17/22

Re-invigorating Bilateral, Regional and Multi-lateralApproaches to Economic Cooperation:Governance, Foreign Aid and Trade

Obama proposes to strengthen multilateral

approaches and institutions to solve globalproblems, especially the United Nations.

Obama proposes to double foreign non-militaryaid to $50 billion by 2012 to address globalpoverty, climate change, and epidemic diseases

(i.e., HIV/AIDS, Avian flu). Obama seeks strong environmental and laborrights standards as part of any new trade

agreements.


18/22

Addressing the Global Food Crisis?

Obama proposes an Add Value toAgriculture Initiative for seed capital andtechnical assistance for small and mediumagricultural enterprises in Africa.

Obama proposes to increase funding forrenewable bio-fuels (i.e., corn-based and

cellulosic ethanol) for energydevelopment.

Addressing Foreign Debt and


19/22

Addressing Foreign Debt andFinancing for Development

Obama calls for 100 percent debt cancellation for theworlds Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).

Obama has pledged to lead a multilateral effort toaddress the issue of odious debts created bycorrupt non-elected governments and to exploreways in which loan sanctions could be enacted todiscourage private creditors from lending money torepressive, authoritarian regimes (Zunes, 2008).

Obama has promised to push the World Bank toprovide poor countries with grants instead of loans,and to enact reforms at both the IMF and WorldBank to provide emergency resources to nations

most affected by the global economic shocks.


20/22


21/22

Ensuring Peace and Stability in Asia

Obama strongly supports the U.S. military role inAfghanistan and proposes to add two combatbrigades of troops to stabilize the region.

Obama supports ratification of the ComprehensiveTest Ban Treaty (CTBT) governing nuclear

weapons. Obama proposes special shared partnerships to

enhance collaboration with key countries in Asia

(i.e., Australia, China, India, Japan, and SouthKorea) as well as regional institutions such asASEAN and APEC.


22/22

U.S. Leadership for Global Development Overall, an Obama

government offers apositive agenda forleadership on globaldevelopment issues.

However, there arestill mixed signals andsignificant questionswhether the U.S. caninspire, mobilize andactualize that globalleadership to solve

these major globalissues!

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