Obama & history

This is an exciting time, not just for Obama supporters, Democrats and Americans but the whole World and history itself. Of course, the outcome of the contest is far from over. What is important about this development is not that Obama is a great dude with the right policies. With minor differences his policies are the same as those of Clinton and other lame ass Democrats. Don't expect any radical change even if he is becomes POTUS.

Obama is evidence of the momentous changes taking place in American/World society. History is hardly made by individuals, its about processes. What we see here taking place is evidence of a process that began long ago and is far from over. An Obama Presidency will mark a milestone in this process and in the narrative of history hundreds of years from now.

The 'Long Nineteenth Century', as defined by Eric J. Hobsbawm began with the French Revolution in 1789 and ended in 1913 as the Great War began. Current historians believe 9/11 marked such a point for the dawn of the 21st century. I believe that gives too much importance to Islamist Terror and the War on Terror. It's doesn't have that much fuel and will be over within a decade. Especially if American Imperial policy is reversed with the next change in guard it doesn't seem likely to last and have long term effects.

For marking longer periods, let me quote extensively from Noam Chomsky:
"1992 brings to an end the 500th year of the Old World Order, sometimes called the Colombian era of world history, or the Vasco da Gama era, depending on which adventurers bent on plunder got there first. Or "the 500-year Reich," to borrow the title of a commemorative volume that compares the methods and ideology of the Nazis with those of the European invaders who subjugated most of the world. The major theme of this Old World Order was a confrontation between the conquerors and the conquered on a global scale. It has taken various forms, and been given different names: imperialism, neocolonialism, the North-South conflict, core versus periphery, G-7 (the 7 leading state capitalist industrial societies) and their satellites versus the rest. Or, more simply, Europe's conquest of the world. By the term "Europe," we include the European-settled colonies, one of which now leads the crusade; in accord with South African conventions, the Japanese are admitted as "honorary whites," rich enough to (almost) qualify. Japan was one of the few parts of the South to escape conquest and, perhaps not coincidentally, to join the core, with some of its former colonies in its wake. That there may be more than coincidence in the correlation of independence and development is suggested further by a look at Western Europe, where parts that were colonized followed something like the Third World path. One notable example is Ireland, violently conquered, then barred from development by the "free trade" doctrines selectively applied to ensure subordination of the South -- today called "structural adjustment," "neoliberalism," or "our noble ideals," from which we, to be sure, are exempt."
~quoted from Year 501. Find it here: http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/year/year-contents.html

This era is not coming to an end in 2008 no matter who wins, even Kucinich. But I do believe that this era is coming to an end. Both with endogenous changes in the West and the rise of powers who do not fit the narrative of the discourse; i.e., East Asia et al. There are of course two ways for this era to end: War in the context of the Oil clock; and peaceful transition to a more equitable distribution of power, wealth and a wholesale shift to a more sustainable econo-ecological system. I expect no socialist revolutions.

The evidence for endogenous change is Senator Obama. His credible candidacy and hopefully presidency means that there has been a momentous change in the discourse. The glass ceiling will be broken and Americans can once more be proud of being the first, in this case to elect a leader from an oppressed minority. The discourse of power is primarily about defining the boundaries of inclusion and exclusion. By consummating the break from the discourse of the Old Order it will mark a milestone.

We will mark the tiny 21st century with Obama coming to power in 2008. Historians might even mark end of the Old World Order with it.

My radical friends will no doubt sneer at my excitement: Nothing will change, they say. Well nothing might, so there are no gains for radical change. I want to say there exist other things of importance. Like the narrative of history. I believe it will also create the possibilities for real change, what with Edwards as Vice President. Moreover, even if nothing changes, it makes the current system much much more tolerable and civilized.

Gandhi was asked what he thought of Western Civilization, 'It might be a good idea'.