Former Congressman Lee Hamilton on American Power
Alex Davis
Issue date: 11/3/05 Section: News
Former Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton spoke about "How to Use American Power" for the annual Freedman Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 26 in Wright Hall Auditorium.
The Freedman Lecture was established in 1985 by two brothers to honor their mother, a graduate of Smith College. According to the introduction by Government Professor Greg White, the annual lecture "honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the cause of world peace."
During his 34 years in Congress, Hamilton chaired numerous committees, including the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and served as the Vice Chair for the influential 9-11 Commission. Currently, Hamilton is director and president of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
In his speech, Hamilton focused on American foreign policy as well as four central realities of the world today. Hamilton named these realities: "The pre-eminence of American power, the shifting alignment of great powers, globalization, and swelling turmoil in the world." Hamilton continued, "To succeed, American policy must never lose sight of the central global realities."
For the first central reality, the pre-eminence of American power, Hamilton discussed the status of war in America, and how countries around the world turn to the United States in search of support and aid. "America may be the most dominant power in the world, but we need help, and we cannot succeed alone," Hamilton said.
Hamilton then spoke about the shifting alignment of great powers in the world. Hamilton said, "Since the cold war, there has been an evolution of power. Both China and India have rapid economies, and nuclear weapons, and in 2020 China will have 1.4 billion people; [...]India will have 1.3 billion."
Hamilton discussed how the European Union has a larger economy and population than the United States and is in the process of ratifying a constitution. Hamilton also mentioned emerging powers such as Brazil and Indonesia, which have potential for great political power in the future.
The Freedman Lecture was established in 1985 by two brothers to honor their mother, a graduate of Smith College. According to the introduction by Government Professor Greg White, the annual lecture "honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the cause of world peace."
During his 34 years in Congress, Hamilton chaired numerous committees, including the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and served as the Vice Chair for the influential 9-11 Commission. Currently, Hamilton is director and president of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
In his speech, Hamilton focused on American foreign policy as well as four central realities of the world today. Hamilton named these realities: "The pre-eminence of American power, the shifting alignment of great powers, globalization, and swelling turmoil in the world." Hamilton continued, "To succeed, American policy must never lose sight of the central global realities."
For the first central reality, the pre-eminence of American power, Hamilton discussed the status of war in America, and how countries around the world turn to the United States in search of support and aid. "America may be the most dominant power in the world, but we need help, and we cannot succeed alone," Hamilton said.
Hamilton then spoke about the shifting alignment of great powers in the world. Hamilton said, "Since the cold war, there has been an evolution of power. Both China and India have rapid economies, and nuclear weapons, and in 2020 China will have 1.4 billion people; [...]India will have 1.3 billion."
Hamilton discussed how the European Union has a larger economy and population than the United States and is in the process of ratifying a constitution. Hamilton also mentioned emerging powers such as Brazil and Indonesia, which have potential for great political power in the future.