The Nobel Committee's surprising announcement that it will award the Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama is a powerful testimonial to how much thoughtful people around the world appreciate Obama's basically progressive approach to foreign affairs.

The full citation reads: “The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the United States is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.”

The President's recognition of the importance of international institutions and respectful treatment of groups (Palestinians, Muslims) that got short shrift during the previous administration reveal his progressive values.  He sees that humans worldwide are indeed part of a single community, and that we have a shared responsibility for others in our community.  Obama's high standing in world public opinion reflects how much other countries appreciate this new stance for America. 

Also notable in the Nobel citation is the mention of "climate challenges."  Protection of the commons, those things upon which we all depend, is another core progressive value.  Global climate stability, with its implications for everything from water to crops to weather, is a commons factor whose importance is becoming increasingly evident. 

Much as we may be frustrated with President Obama at times, progressives should recognize that he is one of us.  I celebrate the Nobel Committee's decision wholeheartedly.