By: Maj OJH Oswago

Prof Noam Chomsky persuasively presents the case that American foreign policy and conduct is premised on, and driven by, a maniacal quest for global hegemony. This hegemonic pursuit is mostly, unrestrained by International law or ethic, and is driven by its own internal logic. It is driven by ideology (partly), but mostly by internal domestic corporate considerations. And corporations, whether in symbolic matters like iconography, or, the more substantive and pervasive ones, like military industrial complex, dominate social life.

Obama will be severely constrained within this context, if he manages to clinch the presidential quest. What then, are the likely implications to Africa of a black American presidency?

The Democratic Party nominee triumphed on a platform of change and hope. Within the US, this change agenda, though attractive, is superficial and limited. It does not attempt transformation of the ideological and basic structures and social relations. Though unprofound, it is not inelegant. It seeks to reduce, not reverse, the adversarial nature of politics that has divided the country into blue and red states, disempower the lobbying industry that throttles policy development into partisan interests and thus hindering search for consensus and pursuit of national interest; universal health provision and enhanced opportunity for education to minorities and large sections of society. The hope bit, represents all things to all people, and, thus simultaneously, both enticing, and, or, vacuous in policy content.

Common sense

It is a common sense agenda that should generate wide appeal, particularly coming after the neo-conservative nightmare, in the past decade. His agenda is not radical liberalism, but rather compassionate realism. It will reaffirm the American dream. If successful, it will moderate, not puncture racial stereotypes.

There will be no material reparations for slave trade, but it would provide immense psychological and moral relief to the descendants of slave owners, and, boost to the self-esteem of blacks (in the US, Latin America and Africa) and all disadvantaged groups, worldwide.

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