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Former leaders find that all the world's their stage
As Blair and Chirac step down, they look to the examples set by Clinton, Mandela, and others for life after public office.
from the May 21, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
"He is known as a friend of British Jews, he carries the Koran and the Bible around with him, but he never allowed religion to stand in the way of social development," MacShane says, noting in particular Blair's moves to champion gay rights.
He adds that there would appear to be a niche for "a man who can go round the world and say it is possible to believe and be a good evangelist while respecting such things as society and the rule of law, and don't mix the two together."
Chirac's aides say he is the kind of international heavyweight who can get traction on issues like Africa and development. "An engine like Chirac will move things forward," said Michel Camdessus, his foundation manager. "It is very important that ideas can circulate, that actions can be mounted, with men who had great responsibilities but who are no longer hemmed in by the diplomatic trappings," he told Le Monde.
Jimmy Carter may be the best example of a head of state better known for his postpolitical career, having engaged for decades in ad hoc diplomacy, mediation, and foundation work promoting human rights and Habitat for Humanity. George H.W. Bush and Clinton garnered considerable attention – and praise – for their work in the 2004 tsunami recovery and more recently, in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. In both cases, the duo was tasked by President Bush to help. Other examples of leaders who enjoyed a vigorous career after power include Germany's Willy Brandt, Brazil's Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, and South Africa's Nelson Mandela.
Their efforts are not isolated but, in recent years, have tended to mesh together in informal networks like the Club of Madrid, the Clinton Global Initiative, or the Davos World Economic Forum.
"We are seeing this whole emergence of these new types of structure of global governance which function more as a network rather than a top-down hierarchical notion of government," says Dr. Pigman.
Yet Blair and Chirac may discover nagging limitations on their influence ex-officio. Experts say that while they will be able to raise money, spearhead projects, and wow globalization forums, their influence will be small compared with the trappings of a head of state.
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