President Obama’s Legacy of Cultural Imperialism

Joshua J. Craddock, “President Obama’s Legacy of Cultural Imperialism,” Natural Family, Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 350-61 (2016).

Abstract

Liberals once staunchly opposed colonialism politically as well as economically and culturally. Despite President Obama's purported opposition to colonialism, however, his term of office was marked by an imperialistic attitude and course of conduct toward foreign peoples — particularly on issues regarding abortion, sexuality, and the family.

This article argues that the Obama administration's rhetoric on colonialism contradicted its actions in the realm of international affairs and that the administration systematically attempted to impose socially liberal policies on economically developing nations, without considering those countries’ traditional cultures and religious beliefs. The article examines three channels of diplomatic influence: direct advocacy, financial incentives, and international institutions. Finally, it examines local resistance to these foreign values and the appropriation of anti-colonial language to the struggle.