Opinion: Obama leaves Athens without a lasting messageDeutsche Welle, Nov. 16, 2016, Max Hofmann
Outgoing US President Barack Obama spoke of debt relief for Greece, made a plea for democracy and recited a few quotes in Greek. It wasn't enough to inspire, writes DW's Max Hoffman.
***
1. Free Press
Almost like a schoolteacher, Barack Obama explained to his audience why free press is so important for democracy. He told them that the press exposes wrongdoing and makes politicians accountable – basically, he explained what the fourth estate does.
The problem in today's media landscape is that opinion sites, like "Breitbart", for example, acting under the guise of free press, no longer serve this purpose. Actually, the opposite holds true: They are contributing to the fall of democracy, as they do not foster the formation of democratic opinions, but instead, torpedo democracy with falsehoods and agitation.
***
2. Globalization
The US president briefly outlined one of the greatest problems of our times: Many people have the feeling that only "those in high positions" benefit from globalization. Just recently, this tendency was strikingly clear when the Belgian state of Wallonia protested against the European-Canadian free trade agreement CETA. Obama suggests that, "people have to know that they're being heard." With all due respect, collective psychotherapy won't get us anywhere.
***
3. It'll be OK with Trump
That is not what Obama actually said but it was his message. "American democracy is better than one person," he said. He also told his audience, "There is no weakening of resolve when it comes to maintaining a strong and robust NATO relationship."
The problem is that Obama does not speak for Trump, who is not at all interested in providing reassurance. The outgoing president missed the opportunity to give Europeans a kick in the behind. It's all well and good that Obama continues to view European integration as one of the greatest "achievements of human history," but at the moment, this achievement is on the path to self-destruction. The message could have been, for example, "Do something Europe! Believe in your strength; invest in your own security." He would not have contradicted his successor, who will probably not hesitate to make such demands.
Ultimately, like almost all politicians in the West, Barack Obama has failed to explain the advantages of our current democratic order in a simple and comprehensible manner. For many people, the world with its multinational organizations, unclear free trade treaties and unstoppable digital development has become too complex. People withdraw back into their comfort zones and listen to simple populist explanations about the world. Obama did not manage to counter this development, or offer a lasting message in his last major European appearance.
http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-obama-leaves-athens-without-a-lasting-message/a-36416560
