Following the financial crash of 2008, the US media focused
on a devastated middle class forced into poverty. No one reported on the
millions of poor already living in an economic system that takes sustained human
suffering as a given, write Katie Beran and Celine-Marie Pascale.
Critics
of US foreign policy have long dismantled the arguments made
for maintaining a global system of military basing. Despite all evidence of the major injustice they represent, Barack Obama shows no sign of scaling back the US military presence in the world, says Catherine Lutz.
When the financial crisis is over, the reputation of US-style market economics will have lost much credibility - not least because Washington does not always practice what it preaches. Disillusioned
developing countries may well turn their backs on the free market ideal, says Joseph E. Stiglitz.
For the openly imperial Barack Obama draped in the rebel's clothing of Dr. Luther King, the 'peace dividend' is no priority. Yet the need for a peace dividend is more urgent than ever, and requires nothing less than the reconstruction of society itself, says Paul Street.
It is true that Bush II has severely harmed the interests of those who
own and run society, one reason why he has come under such intense
criticism within the mainstream. But it has hardly been a lethal blow, argues Noam Chomsky.
International celebarations for the victory of US President-elect Barack Obama highlight an emerging 'global electorate.' To maintain this grassroots support, Obama must challenge outdated US foreign policy on the 'war on terror,' counter-insurgency and nuclear disarmament, writes Richard Falk.
Following a dizzying night of electoral politics in the US, leading European commentators and statesmen outline their vision of 'change we can believe in' - highlighting themes of new economic governance, climate change and multilateral diplomacy through the United Nations. By Spiegel.
