January 14, 2009

Remarks of
Consul General Beth A. Payne
at a seminar on
 “Excellence in Management through Spiritual Culture”
Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House and Cultural Centre
January 14, 2009

Swami Jitatmananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission

Respected dignitaries

Ladies and Gentlemen

“Namoshkar!”

 

Sisters and Brothers of India!

As I’m sure most of you know, those are the words with which Swami Vivekananda began his address to the 7,000 delegates at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.  And this being Swami Vivekananda’s one hundred and forty sixth birth anniversary, I thought it fitting, as a tribute to him, and as an expression of my feeling for all of you, to begin these remarks with the same unforgettable greeting.

I am truly honored to be here, and would like to thank the Ramakrishna Mission for giving me this opportunity to help celebrate the life of Swami Vivekananda and National Youth Day.  Swami Vivekananda was, and remains, a model of compassion and hope for a world that continues to seek answers to the age-old question of how to live together in peace and harmony.  These questions has become even more important as globalization has brought all of the world's cultures closer together - bringing unprecedented benefits to the world community, but also creating new challenges.

 

We often talk about globalization -- the integration of local economy and culture with that of the larger world – as a new phenomenon that has gained momentum over the last two decades as communication has become more advanced and economies have grown closer together.  However, I think global integration was already underway a long time ago.  Swami Viveknanda's address to the Council of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is an example of early globalization.  He introduced Indian philosophy and way of life to Americans and today practices such as yoga and meditation are part of the American way of life.

My topic today is “Global Cooperation for International Management.”   I believe that governments are an essential part of international management.  Governments manage economies, societies and conflicts on the macro level. Without good governance and appropriate government management, we are left with anarchy.  So, the first important question for global cooperation is what types of governments are needed to manage not just individual countries, but to manage the international economies, societies and conflicts.  

Over the past half century, we have seen nation after nation gain its freedom:  in Asia and Africa, from colonialism; in Latin America, from military dictators; in Central and Eastern Europe, from Communism; and in South Africa, from apartheid.  Many of these newly-free countries have struggled to choose a system of government that best serves its people.  But over time, and given a choice, we can see that the majority of these countries have chosen democracy as the best model.  While in 1974 about 30 countries were democracies, today that number has grown to at least 117.

Why is this?  Why have so many nations chosen democracy rather than dictatorship?  I agree with those peoples who have chosen the path of democracy, and the reason I agree is because democracy is sound management.  It is the only form of government which gives people control over policies that affect their well-being.  In addition, democracy is the one national interest that helps to secure all the others. Democratically governed nations are more likely to secure peace, deter aggression, expand open markets, promote economic development, protect its citizens, combat international terrorism and crime, uphold human and worker rights, improve the global environment, and protect human health. 

 This is because in a well-managed society, values expressed through government will seek to maximize the welfare of its citizenry.  Therefore, the best possible management is the goal of all responsible government.  And to be responsible, government has to answer to somebody, in the form of referendums or elections in which the people have the power to change policies that affect their lives. 

Both India and the United States are fortunate, in my view, in that these two great countries have both chosen democracy as the management model for their societies.  As we draw closer together on many levels, Indians and Americans see the advantages of cooperation not only in our economies but societies as well.  More and more Indians and Americans are studying and working in each others’ countries, hastening an exchange of cultures that fosters mutual respect.  Without respect for one’s colleagues or fellow citizens, whether on the micro level of the individual company, or the macro scale of a large country, there cannot be any inclusive progress for humanity.

This is a difficult time for the world economy – a time when global cooperation is imperative.  Our governments face numerous challenges in our financial systems.  While the outlook for 2009 is challenging, countries across the world are taking strong and concerted action to face this crisis.  And it is interesting to see that those countries that are in the forefront are democracies, countries that are managed by their citizenry.  So while real problems remain to be solved in our economies, it is heartening to know that people the world over recognize the challenge and are willing to work together for a global solution.

I believe the evidence is overwhelming that democracy is the best way to manage not only an economy, but a society.  And here before I finish I would like to say a word of praise for India.  There is no other country of your size, with your tremendous cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, that has tried to modernize its society and transform its economy within the framework of a democracy.  And given the progress already made, I am certain that India will succeed in its endeavor.

So, Sisters and Brothers of India, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to you today, and I look forward to hearing your views.

Anek Dhonnobad!