President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize controversy
By: Michael Harman
Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: Opinion
Many Americans were surprised to wake up Friday, October 10, to discover that President Barack Obama had been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Conservatives and liberals alike denounced Obama's selection, for various reasons, of course; but there is a sliver of truth in the Nobel Committee's choice.
A little more than two weeks ago, a global poll revealed that the United States of America has become the most popular nation on Earth since President Obama's election in November of last year. This is a remarkable shift from George W. Bush's tenure in office, where the United States saw a downturn in the globe's perception of the nation. Between 2005 and 2007, the number of foreign nations that had a positive view of the United States dropped from 40 percent to 29 percent, according to a 2007 poll done by World Public Opinion, an organization that collects data on public opinion in more than 25 countries. A study released in early October, however, found that the United States was the most popular nation in the world in 2009.
The Nobel Committee defended their decision, saying that Obama's "...extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," was reason enough for his nomination. Essentially, the award was given for the hope that the President has brought to an international community ravaged by President Bush's unilateral diplomacy.
Agree or not, the fact remains that for the first time in most college students' adult lives, the world loves the USA again. The world loves this country so much, they gave a Nobel Peace Prize to a president leading two wars against foreign nations that the U.S. invaded and occupied. That says a lot about how powerful Obama's election was. This is a unique opportunity for this country to make a huge, long-lasting difference in the world.
It's not about whether or not the President deserved a Nobel Prize, or whether he'll live up to his potential. He's just a man; the great body of the public can do a tremendous amount just by collective effort, and begin to work towards the solutions to the daunting obstacles facing the world.
A little more than two weeks ago, a global poll revealed that the United States of America has become the most popular nation on Earth since President Obama's election in November of last year. This is a remarkable shift from George W. Bush's tenure in office, where the United States saw a downturn in the globe's perception of the nation. Between 2005 and 2007, the number of foreign nations that had a positive view of the United States dropped from 40 percent to 29 percent, according to a 2007 poll done by World Public Opinion, an organization that collects data on public opinion in more than 25 countries. A study released in early October, however, found that the United States was the most popular nation in the world in 2009.
The Nobel Committee defended their decision, saying that Obama's "...extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," was reason enough for his nomination. Essentially, the award was given for the hope that the President has brought to an international community ravaged by President Bush's unilateral diplomacy.
Agree or not, the fact remains that for the first time in most college students' adult lives, the world loves the USA again. The world loves this country so much, they gave a Nobel Peace Prize to a president leading two wars against foreign nations that the U.S. invaded and occupied. That says a lot about how powerful Obama's election was. This is a unique opportunity for this country to make a huge, long-lasting difference in the world.
It's not about whether or not the President deserved a Nobel Prize, or whether he'll live up to his potential. He's just a man; the great body of the public can do a tremendous amount just by collective effort, and begin to work towards the solutions to the daunting obstacles facing the world.