Ever since the Second World War, different nations have come together with the aim of creating some form of unity. The various organizations formed by the different countries have mainly aimed at ensuring peace, justice, and economic stability among the countries. These organizations have also played a major role in uniting countries that were once enemies, as well as creating the notion of a citizen of the world. The feeling of being a citizen of the world has promoted more instances of globalization as different groups of people have learned to live with one another. In his Berlin speech in 2008, President Obama explained the need for the citizens of the world To Unite as one and work together to fight the various ills facing the planet. President Obama in the various parts of his speech explained how far the world has come and how much further globalization can take the world.
The speech, delivered before a large crowd in Berlin, came at the opportune time, as it was reelection year in the United States. The speech, although not delivered directly to US citizens, helped to put forward Obama’s campaign message of international cooperation. The speech mainly entailed the president talking about the various instances that the United States has worked together with Germany and other countries to meet a single goal (Obama, 2008). Through the speech, Obama emphasized in the world being United rather than divided. By being united, the different countries would solve problems such as terrorism and climate change as well as promote peace and justice in the world.
At the beginning of the speech, Obama first explained the various events leading to his presidency. He explains the need for freedom as the driver towards his father seeking a better life in the United States. Explaining freedom results in him going back into history to the days of the Berlin wall. Obama provides a recap of how the Americans and Germans worked together to bring down the wall. Obama explains the power unity as it is only through unity that the communist were defeated and freedom restored in Germany (Obama, 2008). Obama’s speech employs historical evidence as a way of evoking a feeling of pride. Explaining his descent allows the Berlin citizens to view Obama not as a president of the United States, but as a citizen of the world. His explanation of his origin also moves forwards the notion that all human being are the same with no superior being or race. Although his grandfather has worked for the British Colonialists, Obama still managed to become president signifying that anything is possible in a world where every individual is equal.
The speech also explains the various instances that different people have become united; therefore, fostering freedom. Obama explains the different walls, whether hypothetical or real that have come down due to the unity of people. Obama’s first example was the Berlin wall, which he explained to have been a major barrier to freedom (Obama, 2008). Demolition of the Berlin wall represented how a division can harm people. With the destruction of the wall, Germany retained her economic strength as the people were now united. The coming down of the Berlin wall also allowed other instances of freedom, including the introduction of democracy in different nations, as well as the closure of prison camps used to detain enemies of the state. In this part of the speech, Obama illustrates to his listeners, how much good can come from human beings being united
Obama’ speech moves from the past to the present, where he explains the various changes that have come with globalization. With problems of freedom having been solved in the 20th century, Obama describes the newer threats facing that world with a critical emphasis on terrorism. He explains how terrorists have used different areas to plan train and execute attacks. Other than terror, Obama describes climate change as another issue facing the modern human society. The various inventions developed by man, have resulted in a change of climate patterns promoting more instances of drought; therefore a reduction of the world food supply. Other problems explained that have resulted from globalization are the influx of drugs in the European market, as well as ethnic violence, which could lead to a new breed of terrorists.
Explaining these issues brings an insight into the need for unity in the World. Obama explains that countries need to unite to fight the various problems affecting the earth as no single country can stop the ills. In the speech, Obama explains that the different worldviews have resulted in a division of the world. Europeans tend to believe that America is the main problem affecting the world; therefore reduced instances of cooperation between the two areas (Gullette, 2012). Obama explains the new world problems to have resulted in the creation of new walls between the different countries. Obama appealed towards the citizen of the world notion in calling for unity between the various countries. He explained the need for Europe and America to come together to help countries achieve democracy, as well as help, fight terror across various areas of the world.
Obama emphasized on globalization as a way of bringing peace, freedom, and justice into the world (Gullette, 2012). In the speech, the president called for German citizens as well as citizens from other nation to acknowledge the need for unity as the only way to bring peace an equality. Obama called for the different countries to view each other as equals and shun any instances of discrimination based on race, religion among other factors. Equality is a major factor towards promoting unity; therefore, the emphasis on equality in the speech. In calling for the treatment of every individual as an equal, Obama also drove home the message of world citizens. As citizens of the world, everyone is equal and everyone has a role to play in ensuring that a peaceful, free, and just world.
Obama’s speech in Berlin emphasized on the human race being united. Globalization has allowed different developments including the creation of international bodies such as NATO. However, globalization has led to newer problems including terrorism and climate change. To ensure that a solution is found to this problem, there is a need for human beings to unite and work together.
References
Gullette, G. S. (2012). Globalization. Retrieved from Oxford Bibliographies: http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199766567/obo-9780199766567-0010.xml
Obama, B. (2008, June). Full script of Obama's speech. Retrieved from CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/24/obama.words/
