Nobel Peace Prize (Almost) without Controversy

The Nobel Peace Prize has often sparked controversy. This year was less controversial. Among the range of prizes given out by the foundation, only two attract significant debate: the literature and peace prizes. Both categories are very subjective and often do not have an obvious candidate. Whereas the literature prize is debated among a small circle of diehard literature experts, the peace prize often stirs emotional debate.

This year was no different, and as usual, voices of dissent could be heard when the winners were announced. Ellen Johnson–Sirleaf, the president of Liberia, has been accused of corruption in the past. Critics have often pointed out the politics surrounding the nomination process. Johnson–Sirleaf holds political office and is up for re-election soon. The fact that the award will boost her chances of victory is indisputable. On the other hand, Johnson–Sirleaf is 72 years old, and the award might have come too late for any fundamental change in her political trajectory.

All who think that the president of Liberia was a controversial choice should look back at previous laureates, such as Al Gore, who won the award at the expense of Irena Sendler, who created a network of rescuers in Poland who smuggled approximately 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto in World War II. Yasser Arafat, the architect of Palestinian terrorism, also won the prize. Henry Kissinger ordered the bombing of Cambodia. Wangari Maathai blamed the HIV epidemic on a white conspiracy to kill blacks. Perhaps the most surprising laureate was Barack Obama, who won the prize for still unclear reasons in 2009. This has arguably been the most politicized and damaging decision made by the committee in recent history.

Although Obama’s prize made no perceptible impact on American policy, this year’s winners might become catalysts for female emancipation in Africa. Each of the winners might become the next Shirin Ebadi, the winner in 2003. The Iranian journalist became an icon for female liberation all over the Middle East. But whether that happens or not is not up to the Nobel committee but the winners themselves.