George Soros, Financier and Philanthropist, Open Society Institute

Initiative Session Date: March 14, 2003

Summary:
George Soros applauded the Initiative for being involved with a noble initiative and for helping to form a new view of America’s role in the world. Soros touched on his belief that the US has a special responsibility in the world due to its dominance. According to Soros, America is the architect of the current world order. He feels that the US shaped globalization and the current global order, so the rest of the world must respond to policies this country pursues. He stated that, therefore, the US is the only power able to reshape the world order, and that without US leadership there would be little constructive results. With this thought in mind, Soros asked, “What can the Seattle Initiative do?” His response was, “A great deal. We live in a democracy and government must hear the people, especially a group like this—one that is the backbone of the electorate. Use your voice.” Soros pointed out that articulating opinions is not as effective as acting, and he encouraged the group to focus on specific activities. Soros concluded by reiterating his strong concern about how America is using its power. “We are powerful, but power imposes on you an obligation to be more equitable – to be more concerned about the less powerful.”

“[The United States] sets the agenda, and the agenda must be to make world order stable, equitable, and inclusive so that everybody benefits. If the greatest nation in the world is only worried about its own security, it will have failed not only the world, but itself.”
    

      -George Soros, Speaking with the Initiative

Biography