SPL : 'They act very quickly, these guys'
As the BBC reports, Blair gave a speech on Friday in Washington calling for supranational institutions to reflect a changing world, focussing particularly on the unreformed IMF and UN. So is this the dying act of an embattled prime minister - prominent member of the so-called "axis of feeble" - desperately trying to change the agenda and focus on his legacy?
Personal aggrandisement may indeed play a part, but there are far greater forces at work. The IMF is, in many respects, a massively counter-productive institution. Joseph Stiglitz composes a damning critique of his former employer's economic practices in the third world in his book, Globalisation and its Discontents. Conventional wisdom portrays the UN as archaic; continuing, via the Security Council, to reflect the global balance of power as it was in 1945. It is therefore right that British foreign-policy influence should be directed towards reforming the aforementioned institutions, focussing particularly on incorporating developing economies (India and Africa), as well as Germany and Japan (naturally), into a reformed Security Council, as Blair mentions in his speech. It would be a great shame if much-needed reform of the UN stalled because of Bush, Blair and Chirac's drained authority.
It has almost become a cliche, but Blair's knack for deflecting bad press, along with impeccable presentation skills, is quite remarkable. He is unparalleled in this regard among world leaders today. The video provided on the BBC's website is a fine example of this: amidst a serious speech on international relations, a mobile phone rings, and Blair makes a perfectly timed, witty comment (see title), which goes down well with an American audience apparently unfamiliar with such incision. Blair has used this technique before, of course, at the CBI conference last November, when proceedings were interrupted by anti-nuclear protestors. Nevertheless, the impact remains strong. Blair the statesman is still a force to be reckoned with, even if, like Clinton, momentum has been lost on the domestic front, save in certain policy areas.
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5 Comments:
I agree that reform of the UN is much needed but perhaps i'm being cynical in wondering why Blair has made the speech now. It seems unlikely this is part of his legacy as UN reform almost certainly won't take place before the end of Blair's tenure. Could it be he is trying to distance himself from Bush, who surely wouldn't want to go along with plans to make the UN more powerful? Or perhaps Blair is planning for his retirement, wooing American audiences now will make it easier for him when he steps down as PM to return and woo them again, this time charging a £40,000 fee (in much the same way Thatcher did after she left No. 10)
"...focussing particularly on incorporating the developing eastern economies (China and India), as well as Germany and Japan..." - China already has a seat on the UN security Council (as one of only 5 permanent world powers), perhaps archaic from its previous days as the yellow peril, but once again relevant in its new role as chief opinion-swayer for the North Koreans, who China could literally switch off in an instant
You're quite right, apologies. Though there was an anomaly for a while as China = the People's Republic, but America/the UN didn't recognise this.
Ben - This speech was the last in a series of three discussions on international issues. I understand that the speeches were long in the making, but you're right to question the timing.
Certainly, UN reform is a long-term matter, and thus is unlikely to take place before Blair's departure. Nevertheless, instigating such reform could be considered part of Blair's legacy "package".
I'm sure Blair could easily command such a fee whether he had made these speeches in Washington or not.
Sam
May I say an excellent, thoughtful post; I especially enjoyed the video of Blair's deft speaking skills.
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