Is America Sliding?

July 20, 2007.

Whenever I ponder on this question, I get into a predicament, unable to believe that this country could commit errors in judgment on major issues, and take those decisions that are damaging its own image in the eyes of the world. This is the scenario that is enfolding of late.

The leaders in governance, Republicans or Democrats, are responsible for projecting the image of America. Being representatives of its people, who elected them with a hope for protecting and improving their lives, are belying their hopes with poor leadership. Sadly, this is a feature that is emerging in every country, whether in the Americas, Europe, or in Asia.

Countries are being lead by dogmatic ideologies that are far from realities and aspirations of people. I would say that the foreign policies, framed and pursued are the cause of all these troubles that fall on the domestic issues too. Priorities of a nation are skewed.
Admiration

America always fascinated me as a country and continues to do so. I have been an admirer of the British and American people, and followed their history and development. Their erstwhile leaders were great visionaries, who believed in co-existence.

Let me digress a bit. While pursuing my studies in Cost accounting, I was using the library of the Indian Institute of Public Administration in New Delhi. This institute was started at the recommendation of a consultant of Ford Foundation when the Government of India sought their assistance. - (http://www.iipa.ernet.in/mainprofile.asp ). The books in that library were mostly of American authors, who had an influence on me as they were easy to understand and systematically written on subjects of Economics, Office Administration, Cost Accounting and Management topics. I imagined then that its people were innovative in thinking, industrious at work, compassionate at heart, and friendly by nature. I visited USA thrice, and personally experienced their way of life, their systems, and their methodical thought process, their work ethics, all of which reiterated my beliefs. My dream to visit Europe and UK remains a dream. So, I feel sad at their present state.

I am an Indian citizen without any political leanings. All my views are formed based on the reading of the news by any means of media and exchange of views with people whom I come across. If there is a censorship of any kind in this medium, my assumptions and views are distorted. If the news about a country is not reported often, I do not know much about it. I need to do a lot of homework to know about it if my interest is strong.

The psyche of a leader is almost similar. His team of advisers on major issues briefs him. The integrity and the forcefulness of views of advisers could be questionable. The ground realities are many a time away from their reports, as we are coming to know through subsequent investigations. The leaders themselves are arrogant, adamant and refuse to correct their mistakes or change their ideologies. Citizens like us believe, repose trust in these leaders about what they say, and wake up only when things go wrong.

I do say that many Americans and Indians do not know much about each other’s countries till they personally experience and know each other’s way of life, the culture the customs and traditions that are followed. The thought process is different on certain issues, though the human nature is similar.

The Issues

The economic reforms that emerged with the former Soviet Union’s “Glasnost and Perestroika” policy and fall of communism disturbed the power balance, with the developing countries gaining steadily in terms of economic prosperity. It is my firm opinion the IT sector, again innovatively introduced by USA, contributed to transparency and global outreach in trade and commerce.

America’s initiative in Iraq war, along with Britain caused dismay around the world, and its continued involvement is causing considerable resentment at home, and its image getting tarnished day by day. Britain has slowly receded into the background, but nevertheless remain a target to the terrorists. The ultimate goal of each of the involved parties remains unclear to a layman like me.

The internal issues like Immigration, Health Care, Prosecutor firings in the justice department, Lewis “Scooter” Libby case, are but a few which are evading solutions. Issues are a plenty in every country, and the competence to solve them indicates the effectiveness of governance, which is not forthcoming.

Though America is considered as a super power on certain parameters, on competitiveness, but in terms of global peace Index 2007, sadly it is ranked 96. Readers may visit an interesting website - (http://www.photius.com/rankings/global_peace_index_2007.html ). Some may argue that the statistical figures that are compiled to show them as such may not reflect the realities. But, that is beside the point. I as an individual living in India am at peace within myself. When I open my eyes, read the newspapers, my mind is in turmoil and is reflective of peace loving citizens – to whichever country they belong. Oh! Why these things are happening? What is the root cause?

It has been observed that some of the countries in Central/Southern Europe have split, and regrouping slowly into a powerful European union. A trend is taking shape among the people of developing countries to gain economic prosperity. At the same time, a socio-economic inequality is also widening causing resentment and despair. Ordinary citizens are becoming aware of what they have been deprived by the people in governance. India is no different. India is a nation of contradictions, its people exhibit their skills better outside their country. Environment certainly draws the inner potentials of the citizens in any country.
Outcome

Where does all this lead to? A simple awareness that people prefer freedom of speech, freedom to rule themselves, freedom to demonstrate their intelligent abilities, freedom to live in peace, and a just reward for their hard work to lead a quality life. This is the same in all seven continents.

America as a country, has demonstrated its abilities to be a leader during post world war II. It can certainly correct its image that is being shown in poor light in its domestic issues, and in its foreign policy too.

The US 2008 presidential campaign is in full swing that might have started a little early. It may be good. A lot of debate is going on many issues, and the world over is watching with great interest. Whoever emerges as a leader, has a well directed path, clearly laid to bring back the country to its lost glory, stabilize it and run majestically.

A familiar scene we see in the good old western movies: a horse drawn stagecoach with passengers, running amuck, and out from nowhere comes a swashbuckling cowboy on his horse, watches the scene, causes the horse to gallop and in a flash jumps on to the carriage reining the horses. And just as swift, makes the ride smooth again.

That is the picture the world is waiting to see a visionary leader to lead America to stability in its outlook and improve its image. After all in any game, a team looks up to the leader for guidance and motivation. Likewise, in the game of global governance, every country aspires to be a leader, but it is the overall competitiveness of one country which gets to that position.

Which would be that in this Century?