Top Bush adviser speaks at globalism conference

Condoleeza Rice, the foreign policy adviser to Texas Gov. George W. Bush, addressed capitalists from around the world last night at the downtown Curtis Center. Even in this largely Democratic city, the audience of 400 students, business leaders and politicians at the opening of the Wharton Global Business Forum was not disappointed. The first-ever conference, which is combining what had previously been several conferences for different continents, will last all weekend and feature speakers like Chinese Ambassador Li Zhaoxing and the former vice president of Ecuador. Discussing the challenges of American foreign policy amid the dual revolutions of globalization and the information explosion, Rice, a possible pick for national security advisor should Bush win the presidential election, stated from the outset that "she was no specialist in Florida election law." She framed much of her talk in the context of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, which saw much upheaval during her position with the elder Bush's administration nearly a decade ago. "Every single anchor of foreign policy seemed to be uprooted during this period," Rice said. "We would quite literally go into work, go home and the next day there was a new democracy on the map." Rice described the economy after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, and its search for economic capital as a "great train going down the tracks." While the U.S. attracts more than 4 percent of private capital, other countries on this "train" are less well-positioned. "Many countries have one foot on, one foot off the train -- the Indias and Chinas of the world -- who are not quite convinced that being on the train is a good idea," she said. "Finally, you'll have what I call the roadkill, those countries that have no place on the train and therefore they're going to blow it up -- the Iraqs of the world," Rice said. Keeping capitalism on track and allowing other countries to take advantage of it presents challenges to the United States. "You cannot imagine this train continuing forward if in fact you have large-scale conflict in globally strategic parts of the world -- such as the Persian Gulf and Middle East," she said. It is precisely because of this potential for conflict that the United States military must be perpetually on guard, Rice said. Creating an environment of free trade for all countries was also described as critical to economic success. "The U.S. has problems, currently, because the president does not have fast-track authority," she said. "Who wants to negotiate a trade agreement that's going to be picked apart -- line by line -- by Congress?" Her conservative bent advocated lean government and strong coalition-building skills for the next president, as well as a focus on improving America's educational system. "The U.S. talks like every problem in the world is ours and ours alone -- we certainly can't do it alone," she said. Although this forum, sponsored by Wharton and the Lauder Institute, continues until Saturday, tonight's gala was the highlight for many in attendance. The weekend will feature several panels, each focusing on economic development in regions around the world. "It was the first time someone in her position said that the U.S. should be humble," third-year Chemistry graduate student Evis Cama said. "It was a change from hearing Madeleine Albright for the last eight years."