If Obama's Elected: An International United Front

If a global poll were conducted asking respondents whether they would like Obama or McCain to be elected President of the U.S., we believe the results would favor Obama by a landslide. But if we ask the same question in a different way – If Obama is elected, what influence might it have on the international community? – the results may draw a different conclusion, as quite a few countries would rather McCain come on stage.

The other day, while giving a speech called, “The Story of the Three Cities of New York, London and Hong Kong,” Professor Zhang Xingang （張信剛）, former Vice Chancellor of the City University, stated that Obama's being elected will add to U.S. growth, and that this would not be an easy future for China to emulate. He believes that when Obama declares any skin color can rule America, and age is no longer a barrier, the U.S. will attract outstanding new immigrants from around the world, thus helping the U.S. solve the aging population issues which have risen in many developed countries. Decades from now, while some industrialized economies like Japan and the U.K. are troubled with age problems, the U.S. will continue to outshine others striving for the lead.

Break through the skin color barrier to help attract outstanding immigrants

This is a “united front” perspective. More importantly, as “Son of Kenya," Obama is accepted by the American mainstream society, and has gone through the strict value assimilation process. Obama's values contain not only the phrasings of human rights, democracy, and freedom, but also the liberal ideals of equal rights, and some religious influences from right wing groups. But by taking an in-depth perspective, he still conforms to all the criteria of the American elite, including his high academic record, noble career, way of expression, social networking, fund-raising ability, teamwork, etc.

People, regardless of color, who fit the above-mentioned criteria, make up no more than 1% of the total U.S. population. In other words, as long as the American mainstream society defends and upholds the above bridgehead, it can control and integrate immigrants into the melting pot of the U.S., within the mainstream’s set direction.

Therefore, when newly immigrated to the U.S., the adult of the first generation with professional skills will understand himself by no means from “that” background, and will not feel a sense of “the man on his side.” Even though receiving respect in his respective professional scope, he dares not dream of leading American society one day. He may only appropriately contribute his technical skill. This is precisely the cornerstone that allows the U.S. to continuously progress. First generation immigrant parents treat their America-born second generation like Obama, hoping they can integrate into the American mainstream society gradually, and no longer be treated as marginalized people in society.

Dual loyalty is a very sensitive issue in many countries, but not in the U.S., where the country advocates melting pot policy and multiculturalism.

Make a name in U.S. and return to home country with great influence

What is more attractive to these new immigrants with professional skills, or the elite of immigrant descent, is a ticket to enter the threshold of the American elite. This does not prevent them from maintaining their original influence in their home countries, but helps them gain latent political strength. As long as they make a name in America, they will naturally obtain soft influence in the countries they came from, and places where their compatriots live. It is like the case of Obama’s influence in Kenya, or Jewish politicians in Israel. Taking American former Secretary of State Albright as an example, even though he was not able to run for presidency because of his family background, he became a popular presidential candidate in his home country of Czechoslovakia. For elites in various countries, even if they immigrate to America, they maintain a route of retreat back to their home countries. But after arriving in the U.S., they may simultaneously venture into a new road to affect the world.

In other words, once Obama is elected, as long as he keeps his administration even and steady, with no big mistakes, it will be a giant leap for the U.S. in terms of soft power.

Written by Assistant Professor Shen Xuhui, Asian and Pacific Research Institute of Chinese University