Le Temps, Switzerland

Global Issues and the American Presidential Elections

Days before Super Tuesday, here are the reasons why we need to observe what’s taking place across the Atlantic.

By Susanne Sinclair

Translated by Noga Emanuel

February 04, 2008

Switzerland - Le Temps - Original Article (French)

On Tuesday, voters in 22 states will cast their votes to name their Democratic and Republican candidates. On the conservative side, the suspense seems to have dissipated somewhat; as John McCain is expected to prevail. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in a tight, shoulder to shoulder, race. However the chips may fall, this presidential election is a choice among exceptions: Hillary Clinton, the first woman president, Barack Obama, the first black president, and John McCain, the oldest president at the beginning of his mandate. For months now the world has been enthralled by this spectacle.  Here is a rundown of the various reasons why there is such an intense interest in these elections, which reflect how the United States is generally viewed in this world.

The United States remains the primary world power. "With a three hundred million population, and a $14 trillion GDP, how is it possible to remain indifferent to the events which unfold over there?" asks Jeanny Wildi, researcher with the IMD (international School of management), in Lausanne. "As long as dollar is the principal currency of exchange in the world, as long as tales of the private life of a president animate the gossiping classes, the world will continue to be interested in the next star."

Roland W Scholz, professor at the Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich, stresses the centrality and preponderance of American universities in the sciences: "Seventeen of the top 20 world universities are in the United States. If you want to be taken seriously, studying or teaching in the US will be to your advantage." Thus, the academic world is vigorously engaged with this country. What is more, a million people applied for US permanent residence in 2007, never mind the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants.

Persistent myth  

American policy also has an effect on the world economy. Historically, the dollar is stronger under a Democratic president than under a Republican one. "The Conservatives tend to utilize larger budgets and cause greater deficits. Imported goods become more expensive and buying power declines. The German automobile industry thus lost 10% sales in 2007", argues the Russian-Israeli investor, Gregory Berenstein, located in Switzerland. Similarly, the future President will chart the denouement in other important issues, such as foreign policy and environmental questions, which in their turn affect global economy and international diplomacy.

For most people, the American myth persists. "The American model continues to fascinate. All is possible there”, analyzes Bertold Walter, Head of Finances at the federal polytechnic School at Lausanne. “Europe, by comparison, is not yet unified. Each country is self-defensive of its culture. The right to citizenship in one European country does not extend to its neigboring country." "The United States always excite the dream: the election is a show, a spectacle in its own right. We never scrutinize in the same way elections in China, for example”, adds Nicole Bacharan, an American policy pundit. Barack Obama incarnates the American dream on a worldwide scale. That’s the enthralling part: a black man, modest, educated abroad, and here he is, poised to take on the number one job in America."

Unlike the familiar contests between old political tenors, the present presidential campaign has yielded iconic candidates in Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. "This election is particularly interesting because it does not re-enact another wrestling match between Republicans and Democrats, but rather poses the question: are the United States about to change?" opines Bruno Engelric, Director of Motor-Engineering at Ferrari.

To conclude: "If change does not happen, Uncle Sam’s country is likely to suffer the same fate as the United Kingdom, which passed from being a world power in the nineteenth century to become a country of lesser importance."

CLICK FOR FRENCH VERSION