There have been numerous stories since November 4th about the international outpouring of support for Barack Obama’s election.  After spending the past year knocking on doors throughout the country for the president elect, my eyes also teared up during Obama’s election night address that emphasized for me the potential of a truly transformational president who has the potential to reach across the aisle more so than many of his predecessors.  As everyone acknowledges, the challenges are immense.  However, as Rick Barton pointed out, it is times of immense adversity that can provide opportunity for important changes that can garner broad public support. 

However, the election of Barack Obama has also caused me to step back and consider the symbolism of this electoral process for other developing democracies around the world.  Beyond considering the impact of Obama’s foreign policy, the act of his election can serve to help other developing democracies examine their own systems.  Ever since the 2000 Florida fiasco, there has been an increased skepticism of the American electoral system that has caused many foreigners to seriously question the American example.  I expect that Obama’s election could play a small role in rebuilding foreign understanding of some of the important qualities of our democratic processes. 

Of course, the election of an African American president to a position that for 229 years has been governed by white males sends a truly dramatic message to democratic activists around world.  In so many countries, politics is identity based.  Frequently, a politician’s public support is based largely on his/her belonging to a particular ethnic group.  The idea that a minority candidate could win the support of the majority of Americans not based on his race, but rather, based on the power of his ideas, is a powerful model.  Most foreigners know all too well the plight of African Americans in the United States.  The election of a member of this historically oppressed group, shows democrats around the world that the power of ideas can trump ethnic loyalty.  In my evaluation, that’s a very a good thing.  Interestingly, Kenyans are now faced with the realization that Obama, whose father comes from the minority Luo group was able to win the US presidency before a Luo was able to win the Kenyan presidency.  This is a truly a powerful message to those around the world whose political allegiances are based primarily on a common ethnic heritage rather than a broader commitment to the common public good. 

Secondly, the tremendous volunteerism devoted to Obama’s election also presents an important model.  In too many democracies around the world, involvement in politics and government is often motivated by the desire for self enrichment.  This frequently leads to a lack of engagement and volunteerism by the  public who dismiss politicians purely as profit-motivated opportunists.  The tremendous volunteer effort on behalf of the Obama campaign presents a stark contrast to that attitude showing that citizen involvement in politics need not be primarily based on self enrichment.  In fact, those who volunteered or donated to the campaign from the highest income levels (above $250k) were essentially accepting that an Obama election would increase the share of taxes they would pay.  The lesson here is that political involvement is not always about self enrichment, but can also be about a broader vision of change for a society. 

Finally, I was particularly struck on election night, not only by Obama’s speech, but also by McCain’s.  In some countries, the quest for power is an all or nothing endeavor.  If one loses today, there may never be a chance to regain power in the future.  This leads opponents to view a political contest in much more absolutist terms.  The idea of turning over the reins of power to an opponent is often unthinkable because there is less confidence that the system will give them a fair chance in the future.  The fact that McCain, after an arduous campaign, was able to make such a conciliatory and supportive speech is a great credit to the American spirit of democracy.  McCain said,

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that

McCain knows that although the Republicans lost this time, they will reorganize and fight again in the future.  They will learn from mistakes made and they may seek ways to broaden their base of support.  This is one of the incredible aspects of our democracy - that it can be self-correcting.  His loss was not the death knell of the Republican party, but, rather could serve to promote the types of reforms that might help Republicans gain electoral victory in the future.  The fact that both Obama and McCain could both recognize in their respective speeches the need to reach out across the aisle is both a positive omen for our future and a symbol of the strength of our democratic system. 

There will be many challenges for the future in an Obama administration, but it is important not to forget the symbolic value that this election might have on other developing democracies around the world.