The recent Westmont President’s Breakfast, held at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, featured an enlightening conversation between Westmont College President Gayle Beebe and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. This sold-out event, which began with a performance by the Westmont Choir and opening thoughts from President’s Breakfast Chair, John Davies, provided insights into global affairs, leadership, and the challenges facing democracy today.
American Riviera Bank was proud to be a table sponsor, and we are pleased to share insights from the event.
Condoleezza Rice’s career trajectory is a testament to the power of education and adaptability. Initially trained as a concert pianist, Rice pivoted to international relations during her college years. This shift ultimately led to her groundbreaking role as the first African American woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State.
When addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, Rice emphasized the need for a resolution that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty. She stressed the importance of ending the conflict on terms that do not allow Vladimir Putin to claim victory. Rice’s analysis highlighted the delicate balance required in international diplomacy, touching on security guarantees and potential mineral rights agreements.
Rice offered a nuanced perspective on democracy, praising the U.S. Constitution’s capacity for adaptation and inclusion over time. She emphasized that democratic development requires patience, citing examples from Afghanistan and other developing nations. Rice underscored the critical role of education in sustaining democracy, stating, “You cannot participate fully in the pursuit of happiness, as the founders called it, if you don’t have an education.”
In her analysis of global dynamics, Rice provided insights into China’s growing influence. She contrasted China’s approach with that of the former Soviet Union, noting that while China doesn’t impose ideological requirements, its practices often contribute to corruption and lower standards in developing countries. She also highlighted concerns around China’s dominance in key industries and emphasized the need for the U.S. to maintain technological leadership, particularly in AI and frontier technologies.
Rice expressed cautious optimism about Africa’s progress, highlighting success stories in well-governed small states like Ghana and Botswana, noting the continent’s expanding middle class and well-educated youth as positive indicators for future development.
Rice’s global analysis emphasizes the interconnected nature of today’s world and the far-reaching consequences of regional developments.
Rice identified what she terms the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” threatening democracy: populism, nativism, protectionism, and isolationism. She traced their rise to the uneven distribution of globalization’s benefits and emphasized the need to address the concerns of those left behind by economic shifts including the loss of manufacturing jobs in certain regions, a growing disconnect between global elites and local communities, and the emergence of a “politics of jealousy” stemming from feelings of economic dispossession.
Despite acknowledging significant challenges, Rice maintains an optimistic outlook. She expressed confidence in the resilience and adaptability of U.S. democratic structures, emphasized how personal stories, including her own family’s educational journey, contribute to the collective American experience, praised the current generation of students as the most civically engaged she’s encountered in four decades of teaching, and expressed confidence in the innovative and creative potential of the United States, even when faced with challenges.
American Riviera Bank is committed to supporting impactful community events that foster important discussions and broaden perspectives. At this event, Condoleezza Rice offered an insightful view of global affairs, leadership challenges, and democracy’s evolving nature. She emphasized patience in democratic development, the importance of education, and the need to address the uneven impacts of globalization. We were honored to be a table sponsor of the Westmont President’s Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.
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