This past week the Nobel Foundation announced Liu Xiaobo as the recipient of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. Xiaobo is currently serving an 11 year sentence for his participation on Charter 08, a manifesto drafted an signed by Chinese intellectuals promoting the democratization of the Chinese government, as well as their adoption universal human rights.
While Xiaobo's struggle to push for the rights of his people, as well as his commitment to doing so in a non-violent fashion is nothing but admirable and praiseworthy, the actions of the Nobel Foundation are inherently political. In choosing Xiaobo as its laureate, the Foundation is absolutely picking a side in this real political discussion, and demonstrating that their idea of peace is intertwined with democracy. Some even say that in doing so, the Foundation is ruining its legitimacy as a voice of reason in the world.
But at the same time, some argue this is precisely the Foundation's point. To encourage people fighting for a just cause, and to take sides on what they think is the worthy fight.
I don't know how to feel about this, and I'm curious to see what you think. Is it inevitable for the Nobel Peace Prize to be political? Is that a good thing? By taking sides, and possibly starting more conflict, as they have in China this past week, is the Foundation really serving peace? Or is this worldly endorsement of Xiaobo bringing the right awareness to his cause, and pushing peace forward? What do you think?
Doing A Little Searching With A Big Sound
9 years ago
Someone I want to bring into this discussion is Morgan Tsvangirai. Today the prime minister of Zimbabwe, Tsvangirai has been on the list of potential peace laureates for the past two years. After enduring over a decade of political oppression by the Mugabe government, being beaten to a coma by members of the Mugabe army, and losing his wife to an incredibly shady car accident, Mr. Tsvangirai serves as prime minister today, sharing power with no other than Robert Mugabe, the president.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find that his commitment to peace, his people and the principle of collaboration is astounding. Would encouraging him with a Nobel Peace Prize bring support to a more positive conflict resolution method than that of Liu Xiaobo? Barack Obama?
I really don't know. I might sound like I've picked a side here, but I'm really at odds with how to feel about the choices made by the Nobel Foundation, and their role in peacebuilding. What do you think?
I think this is great. Honestly I think the world needs to stand up to China. I think it's wonderful that Foundation is making such a bold move; this is what the world needs. We can't continue to be by-standards in this anymore. Political prisoners need more recognition in this world for all they do and it's great the Nobel Peace Prize is doing this. (I mean who better to address this issue?) Maybe people will take another look at what's really going on in this world. Peace is not easy to come by, but by us not addressing what is happening in countries like China peace would almost seem impossible but it definably isn't impossible if we can continue to education ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAlso a note for those of you who are at FSU: Amnesty International is bringing a political prisoner to speak at FSU November 18th and 19th. More details to come on location and time, but this is going to be an amazing event. He was imprisoned for 7 years in Cameroon, Africa and was in solitary confinement for 3 of those years. After Amnesty International got him released he is now banned from Cameroon, because of his speaking against the government. There are so many people that deserve the Nobel Peace Prize and I think this is a great example of one of those people.
Thanks for your insight Ruth. I tend to agree with you on most of what you said. Yes, there needs to be support for people resisting oppressive rule peacefully. But that being said, does the award given push towards peace, and understanding between both feuding parties, or does it exacerbate the idea of the "west" pushing its ideological and political agenda on China? This is something I struggle with a lot, is the best way of dealing with conflict fostering understanding? or is it fighting against the "wrong" side?
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I agree with you on your opposition to Chinese policy. I'm just wondering what the best way of resolving it is.
This editorial by University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Krebs shares some of your concerns.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/08/AR2010100804987.html?sub=AR
I have to say that I never really thought of the power of a Nobel Prize to promote repressive backlashes. The fact that the committee chose to select a Chinese dissident, at a time when it has become fashionable to attack China, makes me believe that they aren't seriously considering the full impact of the award.
Ultimately, if the motivation of the Nobel committee in selecting Liu Xiaobo is to try to convince the Chinese to change course, they are being a little naive. The government is certainly aware of how they treat dissent -- and how the West perceives these abuses of human rights -- and has decided that whatever ends they value (continued power, domestic order, or economic growth) justify the means.