Slippery words, slippery slopes
The "slippery slope" argument to my eyes has never been overwhelming in and of itself. We can put the brakes on the "downward slide", or prevent it completely, often via use of ad hoc barriers.
That being said, words like "empowerment", "self-determination" and "good governance" can mean different things to different people. Colbert King brought that out earlier this year in President Obama, Marion Barry: Two takes on 'empowerment' (WP):
Quote:
By Colbert I. King
Saturday, February 20, 2010
President Obama and D.C. Council member Marion Barry obviously had something different in mind when they each recently referred to the notion of "empowerment."
In his Feb. 1 National African American History Month proclamation, President Obama said he selected the theme "The History of Black Economic Empowerment" to honor African Americans who overcame racial barriers to reach "financial independence and the security of self empowerment that comes with it."
Barry, used it, too, when he defended himself this week against a D.C. Council-authorized independent investigation that found that, among other improper actions, he had benefited from a city contract that he obtained for a former girlfriend. Claiming he is a "different kind of council member," Barry said he sought office to get resources to the people of his ward, and do all he could "to empower them."
Unlike Barry's use of the word, Obama's "empowerment" referred to African American trailblazers who overcame racial prejudice to become skilled workers, professionals and entrepreneurs. Obama praised that generation of African Americans who acquired land and founded banks, educational institutions, newspapers, hospitals and businesses of all kinds. His proclamation honored those who rose above "the injustices of their time" -- black codes, Jim Crow laws -- to take actions that bettered their lives and those of others. ... (much more in the WP article)
The article was spurred by this year's theme for African American History Month, "The History of Black Economic Empowerment" and President Obama's Proclamation for that event. When you go to that link, you might avail yourself of "Search WhiteHouse.gov" and enter - empowerment. 81 items returned as I type this.
You will find in those entries something of a trinity composed of "empowerment, good governance, and economic opportunity" as in the July 21, 2010 Statement on the President's Forum with Young African Leaders.
More practically (how does "empowerment" fit into the foreign policy of the Obama administration), Democracy & Human Rights (based on the President's Cairo Speech) sets the scene.
First generally:
Quote:
The President said that no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other, but that America is committed to advancing governments that reflect the will of the people. He committed the U.S. to support human rights everywhere: the ability of people to speak their mind and to have a say in how they are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; and the freedom to live as people choose. Governments that protect these rights, the President said, are ultimately more stable, successful and secure.
The U.S. works to advance democracy and human rights by living these values at home, standing up for human rights in public and in multilateral institutions, speaking frankly and consistently about these issues with governments and civil society, and supporting democracy advocates and civic groups working bravely to expand freedom in difficult environments.
and specifically to "empowerment":
Quote:
Strengthening Civil Society: The U.S. supports local civil society groups working for political, economic, and social empowerment in their home countries through a variety of programs, and local grants now represent more than half of MEPI’s projects across the Middle East and North Africa.
Potentially, "empowerment" could be a very broad construct - once you've covered "political, economic, and social", what's left ? Shades of a new "New Frontier" to a global "Great Society" ? - or will the "empowerment struggle" lead more to localized Marion Barrys (see Colbert King link) ?
In the end, the US COAs will be affected by the elections next month and in 2012 - but those elections will not necessarily determine those COAs (e.g., 1964 when LBJ ran as something of a "peace candidate", as did Nixon in 1968).
Regards
Mike