Since the end of the Second World War, the United States has positioned itself as a leader in international affairs. For decades, America has stood as the “indispensable nation” that holds a special ability to influence events all over the world. But recently, we have heard about the demise of American global leadership from some circles in the national political scene. Recently, the Orientalist Express team attended an event titled “Why Leading Globally Matters Locally” held by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. This event, supported by the Minnesota International NGO Network and Global Minnesota, highlighted some of the key ways in which American global leadership benefits Americans here at home. This week, we’ll take a closer look at the local benefits of American global leadership.

What Does American Global Leadership Look Like?

First, let’s explain what American global leadership is not. American global leadership is not using our military as a replacement for diplomacy. It does not involve unilateral actions which the rest of the world condemns. American global leadership looks like the U.S. taking a lead role in solving the world’s problems. Issues like the global refugee crisis, epidemic outbreaks, and climate change all require the input of a wide range of nations in order to solve problems in a way that is acceptable to everyone. This doesn’t mean dictating the world’s actions, it means fostering cooperation and collaboration on these issues.

In the past, this took the form of international development initiatives like the Marshall Plan. Today, it looks like supporting U.S. allies and pushing back against revisionist nations that want to remake the world via authoritarianism. Even if you disagree with efforts like the Iran Nuclear Deal or the Paris Climate Accords, it is undoubtedly much easier to achieve success when America has the willing participation of other nations. Unfortunately, recent trends appear to favor the unilateral termination of such deals rather than a sincere effort to work with other nations to amend or replace them. So now, let’s look at some of the local (Minnesota-specific) benefits to American global leadership.

How Global Leadership Helps The Minnesota Economy

Minnesota’s farmers and ranchers are one of the core elements of the state’s economy. The corn, soybeans, dairy, and beef produced here in Minnesota are purchased by markets all over the world and reached nearly $7 billion in 2017! This not only helps American farmers, corporations also benefit from this robust global trade. For example, local companies like Land O’Lakes and the Cargill Foundation utilize grants from the federal foreign affairs budget to help solve problems of global hunger by getting this food to the people who need it most. This helps create global supply chains for Minnesota companies that bring even more wealth to the state.

Manufacturing and global trade remain key economic industries for Minnesota as well, and American global leadership is critical in maintaining these markets. In 2018, Minnesota exported around $22.7 billion in goods to foreign markets including electronics, machinery, and transportation equipment. This in turn has supported over 750,000 Minnesota jobs (nearly 20% of the state’s total employment). But this isn’t just due to market power, the federal foreign affairs budget has supported this development. For example, the U.S. Import-Export Bank helped finance nearly $785 million in exports from 116 companies in Minnesota since 2014. In addition, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency helped create $270 million in exports from Minnesota companies which supports over 1,500 Minnesota jobs. But the benefits aren’t just economic, American global leadership promotes the founding ideals of this nation in many important ways.

How Global Leadership Helps Promote Education, Peace, & Liberty

Minnesota in particular has always prided itself on being a welcoming and friendly state. Between 2016 and 2017, over 8,000 Minnesota students studied abroad and over 15,000 international students studied here. This exchange has contributed nearly $475 million to Minnesota’s economy! Minnesotans also believe in serving others abroad, and over 7,000 Minnesotans have served as Peace Corps volunteers overseas to help support developing nations. Not only do these connections generate revenue for Minnesota’s government and businesses, but the global ties that are created in this process foster life-long relationships which improve Minnesota’s ability to remain competitive in a rapidly-changing world.

Finally and more broadly, other nations have followed the American example because it is a compelling one. When democracy looks good, people all over the world want to follow it and imitate our system. But now, our political dysfunction makes democracy look weak and ineffective. In response, nations are turning towards authoritarianism because it looks like the quick and easy way to solve problems. But this usually means giving up their liberty in exchange. As frustrating, difficult, and messy as it is, we must promote democracy and good governance here at home so that others may imitate it abroad. History has shown that democracies tend to be more peaceful towards one another, and nationalist movements tend to be more aggressive towards one another. Democracy, the rule of law, and respect for the rights of others are cornerstones of the American system. If we stop believing in those here at home, then it will be that much harder to defend those principles anywhere else.

The Bottom Line

In short, a renewed commitment to responsible American leadership is sorely needed. To be clear, this isn’t necessarily about military leadership (though that is important too). American global leadership is diplomatic and cultural leadership too. American leadership abroad can help solve problems here at home. The economic, educational, and cultural benefits to Americans locally are obvious. If we don’t step up and lead the way in solving the world’s problems, then other nations will step in and solve them for us (to their benefit, not ours). If you believe in this too, consider supporting the causes of organizations like the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, the Minnesota International NGO Network, and Global Minnesota.