Page 15 - Contemporary Political Sociology Globalization Politics and Power

Chapter 1

Changing Defi nitions of

Politics and Power

The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States was a
global media event, anticipated, analyzed, and celebrated around the
world. In the run up to the election, even his most ardent supporters
feared it would not be possible because although Americans seemed to
agree they were in the midst of an economic and political crisis and shared
a desire for change, many white Americans would not be able to bring
themselves to vote for a black man with a foreign name that sounded
suspiciously like that of public enemy number one, Osama Bin Laden.
The long - term politicization of racist social relations, the growth and
consolidation of black pride and solidarity since the civil rights movement
of the 1950s, and the contestation of the “ naturalization ” of white
domination in the US played a crucial role in the conditions under which
his election was possible; as well as Obama ’ s cool, “ post - racial ” self -
presentation as sophisticated, urbane, smart, and yet, “ of the people. ”
The meaning of the event for those – many more – of us who will
never be in a position to elect a US president is perhaps even more inter-
esting. The election of Obama was a chance for Americans to confi rm,
largely to themselves, that the ideal of America as the land of opportunity
for everyone and the guardian of democracy for the world, while it might
have become somewhat tarnished as a result of bankers ’ greed and
the excesses of the “ war on terror, ” was still a cause for hope. But the
incredible joy and relief with which Obama ’ s presidency was greeted
across the world was also about hope. In Europe, the reputation of
America rose immediately, even amongst social movement activists,
along with the expectation that American foreign policy would now
become fairer and more cooperative. Shortly after the election, I saw