President Obama: Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

The world faces a clear choice between democracy and authoritarianism, according to President Obama. Obama was reflecting on the state of the world in his final address to the United Nations General Assembly as President of the United States.
Watch the full speech: • President Obama Speaks...
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[@cambam4522]

I'm starting to change my mind on Obama.. He's not as bad as I used to believe he was. He's a solid president

[@AvinashtheIyerHaHaLOL]

ZoNe Flamed Okay

[@hot2warm]

I'm not sure how bad you used to believe he is, but he's pretty bad. I think the thing that makes it worse is that people actually believed that he would be different from those who came before him. I'll give him credit for normalization with Cuba and I think the Iran deal prevented us from doing what Israel wanted and that was to attack Iran. Other than that, his health care is blowing up right in front of us. His actions in Libya have evolved into crises in North Africa and combined with his action in Syria, a humanitarian crisis not seen since WW2. His soft coup in Ukraine and all that resulted from it is moving us closer to a world war with Russia. I could go on, but those are the most strident issues he's not come through on

[@The5thAstronaut]

oh really, source? ,':^y

[@Asmobia]

He saved a broken economy inherited from George W Bush, can you tell me in these 30 years which presidents saved our economy? Reagan: Fail Old Bush: Fail Clinton: Success Young Bush: FAIL Obama: Success Saving economy from the worst recession in 50 years qualifies Obama as a great president. He may make some mistakes in foreign affairs but once again he is far better than G.W Bush, at least Obama caught Bin Laden.

[@jos_meid]

He is literally the fifth worst POTUS in history. He did not "save a broken economy" the economy recovered on its own despite him.

[@TheDailyConversation]

"There appears to be a growing contest between authoritarianism and liberalism right now. And I want everybody to understand, I am not neutral in that contest. I believe in a liberal political order, an order built not just through elections and representative government, but also through respect for human rights, civil society, independent judiciaries, and the rule of law." - President Barack Obama

[@Mr.Unacceptable]

The two faces of Obama. While he invites islam the most fascist state and human rights abusers the world has ever known. We were horrified that Japan would use humans as bombs. Now it happens every day by this death cult Obama apologises for every other day. People who hate jews are looked down upon at the same time the very place this hate erupts from there is nothing but apologists. Then there is the lie of the wage gap he promotes. So that companies can discriminate against whites and males while special groups have legal protection. He is not a liberal he is a marxist with all of the double speak justified.

[@stinkmeaner7350]

I'm gonna miss that guy .😢

[@LewyKablooe]

What? You want Obama to kill a billion people because they are islam?

[@melaniabettarelli8619]

Solder King I disagree about Muslims - a lot of families are suffering now and he wants to help them, not promote radical Islamist

[@melaniabettarelli8619]

Solder King and we are not special groups, we are women

[@fry8h]

This speech teach me about democracy more than a couple years of education, how lucky am I to find this speech

[@calebpena7338]

I don't think the person who supports increased NSA surveillance on American citizens is fit to talk about authoritarianism.

[@khan.g777]

Without democracy humanity dont have future

[@Pan_Z]

The irony of a president, who repeatedly ignored the constitutional constraints on his powers and openly talked about circumventing Congress, discussing Authoritarianism.

[@brandonwaters81]

It's 2020. Look at all these racists and fascists in the comments. This is how we got here

[@nutsack]

yep

[@discoveringsoul7600]

Agreed.

[@MrLoveandKindness]

Anyone else afraid in July 2024?

[@rockpaperscissors6521]

So eloquent, so charismatic--it's enough to make me forget about all the NSA spying, drone strikes, and more. Hell, give the man another Nobel Peace Prize.

[@Pan_Z]

It's a good speech. And hypocritical. President Obama speaks of his support of liberal democracy, but his actions in office were one who acted as a strong man, often circumventing the Congress in order to get his way.

[@chrischen1178]

I agree with what Obama says in this video but USA is not a democracy for sure.

[@Sam-zz7oz]

It's a 'flawed democracy' as rated by the EIU. It's important not to understate how much better the US system is than many out there, though. Government is clientelistic and the those with media connections or who can afford large contributions can exert disproportionate influence. BUT, democratic institutions are still strong, presidents and representatives are still voted out if the economy underperforms, parties still have to win over voting groups with strong civil rights policies (opposition to police brutality, gay marriage etc), corrupt officials are prosecuted and corrupt presidents (I hope is still the case) are investigated and appropriate action is taken. Ultimately government still has to strongly consider the interests of citizens in order to stay in power (which I'd argue is the main metric of democracy), so the USA is still several tiers above genuinely authoritarian countries.

[@mathiashuber99]

You kinda have to agree on everything he says... he remains a pure academic and hence doesn't nurture people true needs..

[@garyjaensch7143]

Mathias Andres Huber never be fooled by what he says, look at what he does.

[@ANTI_KREMLIN]

Democracy always triumphs against Authoritarianism!!!

[@yf4044]

The correct comparison: Democracy vs. Oligarchy vs. Autocracy.

[@hailnationalism3768]

The oligarchy can be neither from Democracy or from autocracy.

[@darthkillhoon]

Monarchy is best

[@hairstuff371]

In india we are facing Oligarchy..... Power within 2 3 people' hand pray this 23rd may we get rod of those who follows oligarchy in india

[@josephvitale7086]

I sure miss him. So nice to hear someone talk without hatred in his voice. He was a very good president and I sure wish our country had a man with his compassion in office now.

[@americano1976]

THIS AGED WELL 🙄

[@libertas-goddessofliberty5664]

Incredible speech.

[@revolutionariesoffreedom2374]

I agree

[@__LSP]

1:03 me in a theatre hall looking for my late friend

[@RON_HART]

Can we just have Obama for a third term? He may not be the best, but he's ALOT better than those abominations we have to choose from.

[@zavdab5238]

1RON_H3ART98 you dont appreciate what you have til its gone. especially when the next thing is much worse

[@FelipeGomez-vx2sx]

1RON_H3ART98 Bleeding Heart. You and people like you are America’s nightmare! Go to a Commie country you’d be happy in! That’s because America isn’t a Commie country and never will be!!! You and your fellow Commie sympathizers can die trying to change it? Civil war? You sucker’s won’t last a full week! Most of the country out numbers you loser’s by at least a 100000000 - 1. When the SHTF? You’ll have no where to run or hide! Treason will be the charge! Then you can figure out what’s next? Oops! 👮🏽‍♂️⛓💩🔫☠️⚰️ At least I hope that’s what is what they will do? That is the penalty for Treason! That’s if someone doesn’t execute you before they arrest you? 🤔😎

[@jingjingf.961]

Well said! So true. Support from 🇨🇳

[@gussampson5029]

As an American, when I look around me at America, I find it almost impossible to believe that we can feel our system is worth exporting. A free society cannot exist without a moral population. That's the lesson of America. It's unlikely that we're going to persist in our present form for much longer. Though my fervent hope is that we reclaim morality instead of reclaiming authoritarianism. But perhaps that's just not possible. America was an experiment, after all. And, looking around us, it doesn't seem to have worked out the way we intended it to.

[@Pan_Z]

Ironically the guy giving the speech here didn't help. Obama was always great at rhetoric, but his administration was largely characterised by the strongman mentality he decried here.

[@MiG2880]

Ironically, the U.S. regime at this time was doubling troop numbers in Iraq and rapidly expanding its ability to spy on every citizen. Not only within the U.S. but worldwide... Then Obama won the Nobel peace prize. The irony here is so strong, it's like a twanging bungee of hypocrisy across the face. The U.S. isn't just going down, it's going down so hard I don't even know what it's going to be. But it will be horrific.

[@isanchez3404]

He was warning us....

[@avryeu]

Egypt, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Tunisia, Ukraine . The legacy of Obama.

[@jamesfra1311]

Democracy??..... More like an oligarchy, America.

[@jos_meid]

The US is a republic, which is a hybrid system, which takes some aspects of both democracy and oligarchy.

[@DavidAndersen84]

@@jos_meid And your point?

[@DavidAndersen84]

SO TRUE!

[@wrangledata2318]

True Statesmanship 💪🇺🇸

[@gavinkal1713]

No

[@alexaarenstrup2883]

Hypocrisy at its finest:

[@sierranexi]

"Some countries" nice choice of words. I think you meant to say China.

[@jayduzhou4959]

Yes the art of the speech is indeed important especially when delivering the message towards the majority from different backgrounds.

[@briddenattech]

He actually expanded government a lot. Government mandated health-care, federally mandated laws, increased welfare inclusion,increased legislation and regulations all point to a MORE authoritarian government, not less. I'm a classical liberal, and I see this speech as very... ironic. Obama seems to confuse conservative vs. liberal and libertarian vs authoritarian, and adds in 'democracy' which is not necessarily even relevant. Not to mention we are not a democracy, we are a republic with democratic elections.

[@Sam-zz7oz]

Please be more careful with your terms. Authoritarianism is very explicitly the use of political power to remove political opposition, political accountability and political freedoms. It's nothing to do with which particular functions the government chooses to undertake and which it leaves to the market, or even which non-political freedoms it leaves you with (eg, a driving ban in the center of a polluted city is not authoritarian if its purpose is the general welfare - but it could be if its purpose is to prevent protesters getting there). The German welfare system is much larger than the Saudi Arabian one, and its healthcare regulation is no doubt a lot more complex and sophisticated, but I think we all know which country you'd feel freer living in. So lets be clear, the US government (and I'm not even an American) is NOT authoritarian - you still have all the political freedoms under the sun. There ARE authoritarian governments out there, and if you lived in one of those societies you would very quickly notice the difference. The word you are looking for, I think, is Client Politics or Clientelism. This is where the government secures itself in power by bribing a small number voting blocs, and/or influential individuals (like the media or church leaders), with policies that favor them at the expense of the broader public good. The telling factor here would be whether the welfare system and government healthcare that you describe is broadly beneficial and sustainable, or whether it's damaging the country to the benefit of only a small portion of it (a portion which returns the favor to the politician with votes) - this is a debate to be had and we might be on different sides of it. But, for example, no amount of Obamacare will take away your right to criticize it, to vote against it, for the media to investigate it, and for society to repeal it if it proves harmful. It's therefore not authoritarian.

[@JAMBALAYATALKS]

Bridden you are Spot on!

[@briddenattech]

@@Sam-zz7oz A bit late, but absolutely not. Intent is the WORST way to define a word as strong as Authoritarianism considering it is completely not provable and extremely subjective. Example: If a politician wanted to shut down voting precincts (that may just happen to vote for the opposition) because there was a spike of an easily spreadable disease. (let your imagination go wild) Now, based on intent this is either perfectly fine (by you) or authoritarian and completely unprovable to be either. The definition is... The enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. That is by definition, the expansion of government. It isn't a sudden 'oh, this government is authoritarian now' but a sliding scale. Every increase in regulation is a tick towards authoritarianism. Every additional mandate is an additional step towards authoritarianism. Now, I'm not saying that ALL of this needs to be abolished or done away with, but you are absolutely wrong about your definition. And yes, the expansion of welfare forces other individuals to pay for these, not via consent, but by strict obedience to authority via taxation. Even if these social programs are paid for via monetary policy (printing more money) that is still a tax in the form of inflation, often hurting the elderly the most. And for the record, I don't live in America. I live in a country with heavy taxation and social programs, but much lower regulatory policy and even private transportation, (best trains in the world) allowing individuals to start companies with very little space/money. There were also very little ability to enforce shutdowns during COVID and despite this, did VERY well during the pandemic due to social cohesion. There is a balance, but every increase in state authority is a step towards authoritarianism, and you should have a VERY good excuse for doing so... but at least be intellectually honest enough to call it what it is, don't be a hypocritical coward. Regardless, it's sad so many people are willing to redefine words so that they can justify why THEM forcing others is fine, but when their opposition does it, it is evil. "It's fine when I do it because I have good intent, but when you do it, it's because you're an authoritarian."

[@susanick]

i think the most important thing to demcocracy, It's u had rigts to aticipate policy making and have a right to vote on it, but at the same time to accept the bills what so ever by a legistimate election, but most of the ppl forgot about the latter

[@dawnhoward6105]

I love this man

[@stevenalves6001]

2:53 did he just take a dig at Hillary

[@verit3839]

I'll take Authoritarianism over democracy anyday!

[@Mjauarin]

That is the same as saying: I am a delusional person

[@verit3839]

@@Mjauarin How?

[@Mjauarin]

@@verit3839 You know that a good democracy like norway has worked perfectly right? With authoritarianism you will always end up with the people having little to none free speech and human rights. The authoritarian goverment also always try to silence any opposition

[@verit3839]

@@Mjauarin Human Rights are nothing more than a Liberal Social Construct, and why should the opposition have freedom of speech?

[@discoveringsoul7600]

@@Mjauarin That's true. People choosing that are the ones who want to be in chains for the rest of their lives and complain while the rest of us want to live independently and happily.

[@cloustonenergy]

Is that what he means by Executive Order as a fiat?

[@chasemichael6008]

Now imagine Trump or Hillary doing a speech like this in front of the leaders of the world... *sigh*

[@vision6955]

Chase Michael I don't think they would even pay attention to the speech

[@chasemichael6008]

Vision I know I wouldn't.

[@bobkane432]

Vision they would to trump

[@bobkane432]

Chase Michael well is many things but boring isn't one

[@bobkane432]

Swedish kingdom Mapping well hes many things but boring isn't one

[@OnielMendezIrizarry]

amen

[@hot2warm]

My my my .... Where does one start with this particular speech to tear it to pieces? It's 7 minutes 35 seconds of hypocrisy and tired rhetoric. At 0:08 he says we shouldn't impose our system of government on others. We don't IMPOSE it, but we foment discord with the end being to topple the government of those who do not agree with or acquiesce to our order. We try to dictate who has "legitimacy" to rule in their own country, and use any method at our disposal to see that that ruler or government is collapsed. I could go on and on, but the 7 minutes is actually just endless cliche and would take far too long to debunk it all.

[@DoktahArk]

No, it is not. You know, policital science speaks in regards of America of a deep rooted believe in American Exceptionalism in order to strife for a better world and to promote democracy. Some belief in a certain Isolationism, that America should be a mere example, perfecting its own democracy in order to promote its way. Other American leaders beliefe in Vindicationism , which describes the beliefed need to take on an active role in promoting democracy (e.g. what you described on some time). Bush was a vindicator, Obama clearly a Isiolationist, as can be seen by the withdrawel of troops from the Middle East. Of course this is a rather brief and over-simplifying explanation but this a KZbin comment after all. Politics are more complicated than you think. Look it up and don't belief in a coharent government.

[@tg-k6yt255]

We respecr human rights Proceed to kill thousand of human lives

[@pauldextercapiral2580]

We should not be ruled by Fear. Or Fear of the Ruler. But ruled by Laws which inspired by the Great Almighty, like Our Constitution. Enlighten the blind.

[@robduck4812]

Let's go, Brandon Obama

[@emme301]

How can democratic legal systems evolve into authoritarian ideological institutions? like what happend in Germany in the 1920 to 19340

[@randomlygeneratedname7171]

When you have enemies inside and out. When its war there is no time for democracy

[@MattMajcan]

i'm here from 2021, i guess you've now seen america coming close.

[@joshhoward1289]

Which side is pushing autocracy and authoritarianism? The one that believes in small govt, low taxes and state rights…or the one that believes in big govt, heavy regulations, higher taxes, and colluding with the media, big tech, union leaders, and education institutions? Seriously people.

[@ravindertalwar553]

LONG LIVE INDIAN AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

[@CaitKant]

Thank you

[@Rubenvs25]

What an incredible speaker he was, miles above Trump and Boven

[@oms8762]

It's all about money and power

[@julia-mg7pv]

i love obama

[@gussampson5029]

Unity and cohesion are absolutely necessary. Obama gets it backwards on that for sure.

[@erincintron6379]

Where is this speech taking place?

[@Renenko]

UN

[@robduck4812]

True democracy 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@candidone8544]

Few humans can handle it.

[@ravindertalwar553]

DEMOCRACY ZINDABAD ZINDABAD

[@arumba7345]

Democracy is overraited and many of countries are doing well as autocracy. autocracies have worked for thousands of years. we need unbiased tests that allow people a card into expertise jobs like politics and stuff.

[@northernstar3960]

United States is not a democracy. United States is a cleptocracy. Democracy is only an ideology of super rich class in United States to gain more power and extract more wealth by means of illegal wars, interventions and colonial expansion. What this illegal immigrant from Kenya called Hussein Obama was saying is that Democracy can bomb everyone into oblivion simply because they hate the United States.

[@thepracticalinvestor2386]

Real

[@jamesfra1311]

I'm gonna miss him seriously, who doesn't?

[@hairstuff371]

Exactly.... This is what happening across the globe.... Populism is rising and media being crippled and strong man power rising

[@nealamesbury1480]

Strange to hear him say these things.truth of our highest law enforcement agencies- truth came out recently-and it shows a very different story.and it’s very sad.

[@MatGeeZ]

Just throw in a couple stone cold "WHAT?" in between there somewhere.

[@darthkillhoon]

I'm a Monarchist, that lives a Republic called the USA

[@chrispeters7912]

Good speech. Jfk quality

[@arrowstheorem1881]

Deng Xiao Penn said it does not matter if the cat is black or white. A Cat is good as long as it can catch the mice. But Deng Xiao Ping is also making an assumption what is a good cat. Good according to who? Different people Will and Must have different definitions. So, he would be right if his definition is narrowly lifting 800million out of poverty in exchange for murders at TianAnMen or killings of Tibetans or Minority ethnic people there. By the way, who audited it's 800million and not 700million? Let me cut to the chase. My point is what Deng said is right only if the Ruler is really Ultruistic. This means a Saint is required here. Mere mortals Deng is not perfect. If he is not perfect, can you expect a flawless system? Likewise, Democracy can work if the ruler is incorruptible and Ultruistic and wise and resourceful. Therefore, I agree with Deng but based on additional assumption of altruism. Where Deng is wrong is his assumption and definition and the fact that it's not just Dictatorship which can be the best form of govt. Democracy also can be the best form if done right. For example, a Benevolent Dictatorship can be a Democracy in terms of allowing elections. The style is dictatorial but elections allowed. Hybrid is what I talking about.

[@nealamesbury1480]

Sounds good,but the truth is very different. It’s very sad. You tube streets of america

[@jeremiahbell8682]

Too bad we a republic

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

Doesn't the NRA & Google have a rather sick sense of humor to put the NRA propaganda sweep on this video as well. Way to turn people against you even harder NRA, way to go. I see Strategy isn't your strong suit :)

[@FelipeGomez-vx2sx]

I can’t stomach any more of this sickening Obomination toxic and dangerous brain washing content and the mindless fool’s that swallow this crap! I’m outta here! 🤢🤮🤬

[@daughterofzion9183]

people of Europe Asia South and North America should understand that while not every human mind believes in order rules and human rights, we as inhabitants of this earth must display some kind of human values towards life towards stability towards justice towards adherance and towards reasoning. I too believe in a liberal society I don't believe in communism and totalitarianism.. mist people dislike Obama because he is black and not tough on certain nations say what you want america is the only country the only nation that is keeping the world from become in a totalitarian communist governance..... feel free to comment

[@togr824get]

I guess he figured the best way to get Iran to think about democracy was to give them 1.3 Billion dollars in the middle of the night..

[@MohamadRabman]

Yes yes since I did it I lost nota the university lost north dakota

[@manpreetkhangura7598]

Great President.... This is why America is the greatest nation on earth

[@manpreetkhangura7598]

for example ??

[@matrix91234]

@dihvocfoscocudvyvdd The only thing bad is autocrat yes man. But i think multiparty system is better in a Democracy, two party system seems to favor establishment of those two sides and not party policy. But USA (assuming autocrats dont win here. Is better than Autocratic regimes like Russia and China) what is sad is Republicans in USA seems all over the whole autocracy model nowadays, since they are more or less anti Democracy.

[@SpiritsBB]

"Scapegoating enemies abroad which can lead to war" USA USA USA USA

[@ashutoshnanda683]

So why did you support Muslim brotherhood

so America is a democracy ? and Obama decided to teach the world about that. hahaha

[@thetuna8099]

said the man whos killed more with secret drones...

[@SauqinaR]

how much more? compare to who?

[@thetuna8099]

theintercept.com/drone-papers/the-assassination-complex/

[@thetuna8099]

Then u can read the afghan papers from wikileaks.

[@matrix91234]

Are you by any chance a Troll farm account? I notice they always say stuff like this to deflect stuff to be held accountable for often?

[@thetuna8099]

@@matrix91234 nope, not a troll account

[@AndissKevlar]

This man is a legend... Ironic how his passing of power - which he believes so forcefully in - could well be the worst thing to have happened, to the western political liberal system, in modern history.. :(

[@FelipeGomez-vx2sx]

Sharp White ? A legend in his own mind! He’ll go down as the worst non American President in history! He should be in prison for Treason ,Conspiracy , Espionage , Sedition and murder! In fact he should be EXECUTED! Stop sugar coating his loser Commie legacy! He almost got away with bringing down America and destroying the Constitution. You so called people are for your own slavery and demise. It makes me laugh that you delusional fool’s actually think you are intelligent? Oops! What’s wrong with this picture? 🤪🤣😂😎

[@larryjones9773]

@@FelipeGomez-vx2sx A former president was recently charged with conspiracy & espionage, but it wasn't Obama. In a few months, said former president may be charged with sedition & treason. I support execution for a treason conviction. Have a nice day!

[@princessadetolah.paraizo4448]

Mr. President You Are a good example of how a great leader should be, I am so proud of you. I know I am Not The Only One. God bless you. Amen.

[@FelipeGomez-vx2sx]

Princess Adetola H. Paraizo If you are referring to Obomination? 🤪👎🏽🤣😂Unreal. Brain washed!

[@Dyrtbag68]

Barry and his teleprompter.

[@hamonyzi]

Botswana

[@canaljuan4848]

Authoritarian pandemia

[@joem0088]

"Democracy v. Authoritarianism" is a false dichotomy. If you look at the case of China, how it bootstrap itself from from at 59B$ little economy to the high GDP (PPP) by 2015, it is uminagineable that a democratic country (such as India) could have done it. The reforms and transformation was so vast, rapid, and decisive that only an authoritarism with inspire leadership could pull it off. Once a country has become secured, rich, and powerful like for example France, the focus of the nation is not long to "rise" but to enjoy its wealth. One can wonder if such a wealthy nation would enjoy an authoritarian system which managed it's rise. Obviously incompetant leaders would be useless in either system.

[@arumba7345]

Lol authoritianiism has worked for thousands of years liberalism is new and not much in check yet it's def not working in India

[@colbyt9119]

Hypocrite.

[@onemanenclave]

How did Americans go from Obama to Trump? It's an utterly unexplainable notion.

[@MattMajcan]

americans elected a well-spoken, intelligent black man who turned out to be a great leader. and many angry, mostly white americans could not handle this reality, so they lashed out.

[@Cybertron824]

​@@MattMajcanEven if many of those white Americans voted for Obama previously?😒

[@TronUse999]

So It’s a constant war on the world, may god bring the end of his likes

[@candidone8544]

Humans warred before they learned to create god(s)!

[@bmullin96]

As a Liberal Progressive, I have alot of mixed feelings about President Obama.

[@JamesMc2051]

I'd suspend judgement until you see the next president. I suspect he'll look better to you in hindsight.

[@rigoaragon2383]

The speach sounds good, and the theory is great in speech, but unfortunately these are American "SOOTHSAYERS" they say but Do Not Do.

[@29mirstudio]

Renaissance man!

[@allasoiko6999]

Obama atakallam fi imam al mutahida obama shui lianheguo obama speaks at the un obama parles en lrs nations unies obama говорить в ООН obama habla en lps naciones unidas

[@owenrogers2709]

First

[@DavidAndersen84]

First is last.