Hobart and William Smith Colleges

13 October 2009 Yadav on Obama's Prize

Assistant Professor of Political Science Vikash Yadav was among area political experts included in a Finger Lakes Times piece about the local reaction to Obamas receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The article covered opinions ranging from staggering accomplishment to not being able to understand why he received it.

Yadav noted how not all of the Presidents initiatives have been accomplished as of yet. He is quoted, [Obama] hasnt really achieved any complete goals yet, even though he has promised a lot. I think it seems especially because President Obama doesnt have a track record of accomplishments in this area it almost seems like a pre-emptive movement or gesture rather than an accomplishment.

Yadavs work is in the field of international relations with specializations in international political economy, comparative political economy and political theory. Regionally, his work focuses on the economies of South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He received a bachelors degree in history from DePauw University, a masters degree in social science from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Pennsylvania.

The full article appears below.

---

Finger Lakes Times
Locals: Obamas prize seems premature
David Taube October 11, 2009

For some local political junkies, President Barack Obamas Nobel Peace Prize signifies a look into the future rather than blast from the past.

My first reaction was, its a staggering accomplishment and a testament to his intellect and desire for world peace, said Carolyn Schaeffer, Yates County Democratic Committee chair. And in thinking about it more, you have to be a strong leader to remove walls to understand your neighbor.

In announcing the prize, the award committee cited Obamas international diplomacy, cooperation between peoples and nuclear arms disarmament efforts.

For those reasons, I can understand why he received it, said Kenneth Padgett, Seneca County Republican Committee chair. But I dont think that reasoning was the right reasoning. I think since he became president, hes weakened the United States.

For those who see reduced nuclear weapons stockpiles as weakness, the agreement the U.S. and Russia reached in April to cut the number of nuclear warheads in their arsenals may only heighten concerns, even if it did impress the Nobel Prize committee.

But such nonproliferation initiatives have yet to be realized, said Yikash Yadav, assistant professor of political science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

I know hes been active in non-proliferation efforts, but were still waiting for the end results, he said.

As for the award itself, Yadav said it seemed premature and politicized, given other recent Democratic recipients: Jimmy Carter in 2002 and Al Gore in 2007.

[Obama] hasnt really achieved any complete goals yet, even though he has promised a lot, Yadav said. I think it seems especially because President Obama doesnt have a track record of accomplishments in this area it almost seems like a pre-emptive movement or gesture rather than an accomplishment.
Schaeffer, however, said Obamas life experience counterbalances his short time as president.

Hes not new to the world, and hes not new to understanding the issues that the world is facing and the severity of them, she said.

But Padgett said Obamas presidency has consisted of talk, which has helped him and hurt the country.

Obama, Padgett said, has talked about ending the war, pulling out troops and closing Guantanamo Bay but hasnt followed through.
I dont see a thing hes done to help this country except apologize to other countries, Padgett said.

A September Brookings Institution report said Obama has been a leader in international reform, principled diplomacy and new initiatives in peacekeeping but was rejected by Russia and Iran at the United Nations Security Council.

Yadav indicated some agreement.

Were still waiting to see fulfillment of promises on non-proliferation, and particularly related to the war in Afghanistan, to what hes going to do, he said.