What are the political differences between Barack Obama and Robert Mugabe?

Answer 1

These are two men who are totally opposite in their governing philosophies and ideologies. Mr. Mugabe is known for being an arbitrary and sometimes-brutal dictator with little tolerance for political dissent; those who disagree with him are jailed or driven from the country. He has also overcompensated for the colonial policies that allowed white people (especially white men) to rule his country; he has refused to allow even the most qualified white men to own farms, for example, leading to friends of his taking over those farms and proving unable to run them. There may have been a time when Mr. Mugabe was a powerful symbol in the fight against colonialism, but most sources today believe he is an aging ideologue whose policies have brought economic and political disaster to Zimbabwe.

Contrary to the exaggerated political rhetoric found online and on partisan Talk Shows, there is no evidence President Obama is a brutal dictator. The constitution still exists and none of the rights and freedoms (including the right to criticize him) have been removed. There are many people who support and love the president, but there are also many who disagree and dislike him: unlike in Zimbabwe, none of President Obama's detractors have been imprisoned for their views. Further, contrary to the assertions of Glenn Beck, there is no evidence that President Obama hates white people or discriminates against them, nor is there evidence that he orders them to give their property to his black supporters. And Mr. Obama operates in a democracy, so those who disagree with his policies have the right every four years to vote him out of office. Thus, there are few if any similarities one could find between Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Obama.