I was a little shocked when I learned that Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize. Apparently I’m not the only one: the net is buzzing with fairly strong disagreement, from critics and supporters alike. A few suggested that he should decline. My first reaction was this:
Decline a Nobel Peace Prize? That doesn’t happen. Who would have the audacity to decline a Nobel Peace Prize?
Well, it’s happened before. Only once was it voluntary, and a few more times potential recipients were constrained by their regulations or authorities.
But still, it is an audatious act. After a few minutes of reflection, I am convinced is the best option for Obama and his aims. Why?
1) It would reinforce his sought image of being an instigator of a larger movement, not a follower with many leaders. A very public dose of humility would cement that for millions more. Publicly recomending others who might have a longer track record would add to this.
2) It would attract widespread respect. Could it be faulted by his critics? It would be tough. Would it be lauded by his supporters? Surely, as an act of humility uncommon in world leaders. Who could fault this act? Few, and they would be on the fringes. Those believing that it shows disrespect to the Prize itself could be tempered with some of his trademark rhetoric.
3) As a reputational act, it is nearly unparalleled. Accepting a Nobel Peace Prize brings Obama into a select league of world-changers: Mandela, Yunus, King and Mother Teresa. Who has declined a Nobel Peace Prize on the basis of their convictions? Obama.
4) It would support his aims for world peace and unity. Being a Nobel Peace Prize winner after only 9 months in office is not a unifying feature. It divides. It creates a star among a wide field of worthy participants. He certainly does not need the credibility and respect that winning such a prize brings; he is already the world’s current star. Declining would only strengthen his star power in a positive way (as it cements his brand as a ‘different’ politician) and bring unifying support from the various sides of the conflicts he seeks to affect.
5) (added post-post) It may hinder future foreign policy actions, the best example being Afghanistan. Some would find this to be a good thing, others not, which is a different debate. But I doubt that as a politician who is generally a realist and tries to keep his options open, being branded (and held accountable) as a ‘Peace President’ would appreciate the limitations this might impose on his foreign policy direction.
Given his ferocious ability inspire masses with words, there is potential here for one of our era’s great game-changing messages. Obama should see this as a unique opportunity to advance both his reputation and aims on the world stage. He should decline the Nobel Peace Prize.
Brendan
(shot available on Creative Commons)
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
He shouldn’t - its an excellent detector of who is small and petty.
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Brendan Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Not sure I agree at all. Witness:
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates
B
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I agree with you. However, he’s an egomaniac and I find it hard to believe that he will. I believe he’s aiming to be World Emperor.
He’s sold America out, kissing butt and apologizing for our actions. World powers do NOT apologize!!
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Jon Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
He’s sold America out? That’s pretty harsh and clearly un-founded accusation. We have much that needs apologizing for, thanks to W and his war-mongering friends. Obama certainly isn’t perfect, but seriously, we owed a lot of people apologies thanks to Bush.
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Chris Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
We have NOTHING to apologize for. You must not know how the World works. We are a Super Power. I find it very interesting that Americans have start to actually BELIEVE that our history is wrong. How long will Obamabots us Bush as the final point in every arguement? Has Obama done ANYTHING he promised? Please enlighten me as to his actions. I am certain you can provide me with NOTHING he has successfully done. Try to think for yourself and not let ignorant retoric guide you through life. It is fun being a person who can think for themself. Try it Jon.
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Paul Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
America has to apologize for:
* misleading many countries into attacking Iraq
* Abu Gharib
* Guantanamo
* Dragging feet on Climte Change
You say: “You must not know how the World works. We are a Super Power.”
Where did you come up with the perverted idea that being the most powerful entity means that you cannot do wrong and do not have to apologize?
That’s the law of the jungle, not Christian morality.
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-Sincere Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
“I find it very interesting that Americans have start to actually BELIEVE that our history is wrong.” - Chris
No, not that our history is wrong, Chris, yet moreover that hindsight is 20/20… You speak as if you have never shown remorse for actions in the period post-action? Where is this world headed? You speak as a sword might? These same men go home to kiss their families after such decisions and such actions. Wow. Wish I was scared, yet it is what it is…
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PT Reply:
October 12th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Hmm… just reading your post makes me wonder if you are a real American… Poor grammer, Poor use of the English Language, Poor social skills, Poor sense of responsibility…. Oh wait, you’re an angry Republican… the kind that got us all into this mess in the first place… gee thanks.
now to the post… i think the president is probably embarrassed by this as well… accept it or not… he will still act in the best interests of our country! count on it, even when the Republicans cry bloody murder with their hands awash in RED!
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PT Reply:
October 12th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
just reading Chris’ Reply on October 9th… your post makes me wonder if you are a real American… Poor Grammar, Poor use of the English Language, Poor Social Skills, Poor Sense of Responsibility…. Oh wait, you’re an angry Republican… the kind that got us all into this mess in the first place… gee thanks.
now to the post… i think the president is probably embarrassed by this as well… accept it or not… he will still act in the best interests of our country! count on it, even when the Republicans cry bloody murder with their hands awash in RED!
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Brendan Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Hmmm, although I appreciate your need to fight it out (all three) this is pretty rehashed stuff, and very unrelated to the discussion. Any thoughts on the post, or just dropping by to yell?
thanks,
B
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-Sincere Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Wow. you must believe in the caste system as well? Born in America gives you the moral right to act without checks and balances? with out Christian morality? is that not the law of the jungle (Paul)?
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Hey dude, would you honestly decline such an inspirational prize?
And who says he doesnt deserve it? Americans werent tge only ones inspired by this man’s rise. Everywere in the world little Obamas are rising, believing that man can make a positive difference if he dares.
Obama, you deserve this bro. Congratulation!
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Brendan Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hi Leo,
I never said that he should decline because he doesn’t deserve it. I’m still undecided, and there are good arguments for either side. The post was about what he should do now though, and mostly from a strategic perspective.
I agree that he has been a highly inspirational figure, and already prompted very good things. Is that enough for a NPP at this point? Not sure,
B
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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/us/politics/09obama-text.html?_r=1
He didn’t decline, but it does seem as though he is a little embarrassed by it. It seems that he is trying to turn it into an affirmation of what he plans and hopes to do. Whether that is, or should be the intention of the NPP is another question.
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Well…The Nobel Peace Prize, according to Alfred Nobel’s will, “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses” (http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/22602/1/).
Wow. Tall order.
Obama has put efforts into working towards these things and this is inspirational and deserves to be recognized. However, has he even been in office long enough to really have achieved this yet? Change? - “Yes We Can!” - ok then lets recognize that policy is embedded and dependent and takes time to change. Professor Yunus didn’t get the prize for economics when he was ‘talking’ about setting up the Gramean Bank or micro-credit loans. Not to say that his motivation is not important but we have enough people that talk about changing the world with the best of intentions and have littel impact. It is that Yunus took his motivation and assisted a fundamental change in society. I have faith in Obama that he will do the same - or as much as he can in his present office. I look forward to that change when we get there.
Now from another perspective, Obama is the President of the United States. A civil servant and a policy-maker. It is his job to work towards positive change and resolution by the very nature of his office. It is his job to be implement policy that will ensure real security and better foreign relations. He should not be seen as needing a reward beyond doing his job well. Also, while the potential for important policy is great, these are responsiblities with serious limitations. I think that accepting a prize such as this before you have even had time to see your policies work is setting yourself up for a conceivably bad fall. A fall that could help an opposition that would love to put out the fire. I am excited about the potential of Obama’s time in office but I think from a strategic point of view it would make good political sense to humbly decline such an honour.
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One possible strategic problem - one of the only two other people to have declined the prize include Jean-Paul Satre. This will hardly help his reputation with the Republican / Conservative minority who think he’s a liberal elitest. Association with Satre?
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Brendan Reply:
October 11th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Yeah that’s a good point. Although I’m not sure how strongly that association would really hurt him.
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Chelsea: thanks for the link; if this guy can rattle off such a great speech on such short notice, I can’t wait for his acceptance speach in Stockholm.
Seriously: he’s doing exactly what a great leader (and I have concerns about that, like anyone else) should do: he’s rallying his people, and attributing to them, not him, all of the greatness and values that lie behind a Nobel Prize.
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I too was shocked when I saw the news. According the BBC News “The committee said he won for efforts to boost diplomacy and co-operation.” So basically he won the award for having a good attitude? I dunno, seems pretty weak. Sure his approach international conflicts is a refreshing change from the previous administration but I’d like to think the Nobel Peace Prize should be handed out to someone whose good attitude accomplishes something.
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Hey B,
I was stumbling in bed with my man and he stumbled onto cashewman.com; i looked over and i knew it was you! that being said when i heard that obama won the nobel peace prize i wondered “for what?”
i agree with matt, i’d rather an accomplishment be awarded rather than some really slick talk. Did you know yasser arafat was awarded the nobel peace prize?
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Brendan Reply:
October 10th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Cashewman…in bed with random couples since…2009 apparently!
I did know YA was awarded it. I don’t have a good history of NPP granting, but I sense that is considered to be an aspirational decision as well, which hasn’t necessarity panned out. Is that right? Wrong? Somebody can probably school me on that.
B
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Brendan, you have too much time on your hands. Obama’s instilled hope and a drive inside unimaginable amounts of people throughout the world, all within how long? 2 years? Yeah it’s an *unusual* reason for winning the Nobel; but folks like you need to adjust to *change* a bit better.
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Brendan Reply:
October 11th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Well, I’m not sure excessive spare time is my problem. Don’t have a problem with ‘change’ either, although I do enjoy when people explain what they mean by the term.
If you read the post again, I don’t say that he didn’t deserve it. I argue that, for his benefit, he should decline it. Again, read the post.
It’s fun being critical without reading the post or any background on the author, isn’t it? (actually, I do it as well…)
B
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Brendan Reply:
October 11th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
It’s interesting what happens when people are critical of Obama. Yeah, he’s inspired me too. I’m completely behind him (this laptop is rocking his sticker). But when all is said and done, he doesn’t shit gold.
B
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Hi Brendan
I followed a link from Majd’s (from EWB waterloo) facebook wall and consequently started reading (and enjoying) your blog. I am graduate of waterloo and while I was there I was a member of EWB. I am not a graduate of engineering, rather the wonderful program of environment and resources studies. The next step in my adventures was to move across the Atlantic ocean to the wonderful city of London to do my MSc at the London School of Economics in Environment and Development (which I like to interpret as the Environmental Sustainability of International Development but alternatively could be interpreted as the environmental sustainability of economic development).
A few interesting facts about me are:
I can make the best grilled cheese in the word
I proud of my ability to masterflip a canoe
I just started playing rugby for the LSE women’s team
I have tendency to get along very well with individuals who also get along with EWB (my theory is that it has something to do with the colour orange). This Fri-Sat (Oct 15-16), I have planned a trip to Oxford to get out of London, see some trees and generally be a tourist. From your blog I have gotten the impression that you are attending Oxford and if you around, I was wondering if you wanted to meet up for a pint or could give me advice on interesting Oxford activities/sights/adventures.
Cheers
Alex
you can email me at -email removed-
or look me up on facebook, I am the only Alexandria Fisher at LSE
[Reply]
Brendan Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Awesome, fired you an email…
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Can some one please tell me what Obama has done too deserve de
Nobel prize? He hasnt done nothing too deserve it, what has he done
for the peace in the world. I think he got it for other reaisons that
i wont tell. Ronald Regan didn’t gett it and he deserved it more he
contribated too the peace beetwen Usa and Russia and made
frendship betwen thoes too countries . He countribuated too
stopp the cold war betwen the west and east, i think he should
gett a price for what he did ewen if he is dead. If obama has
respect for him self he should give the price back and say publicly
that he dosent deserve it .
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Brendan Reply:
October 25th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I think there’s a very valid discussion that has been happening around whether he should have got it. However, this post was more about what he should have done, given the award.
Thanks for the coments,
B
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Why didnt Kenedy or Marthin Luther King gett the nobel prize
they deserved it more than Obama. They actualey worked
for pease, Kenedy stoppde the war in Korea, King was a fredom
fighter for the black people and worked for human rights for
black people they did things not just talked about it such
as Obama did.
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I am sorry i made susch a mistake i didnt know that King gott the nobel
price i aplogize for thar mistake
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