It struck me after observing Barack Obama in Europe these past several days, and reflecting back upon his brief time as President, that he is a 21st century Rousseau—infatuated with reason, distrustful of aristocrats (i.e. corporate executives), believer in the evils of inequality, fully confident in his intellectual superiority and the wisdom of his ideas, and thoroughly convinced that a utopian society can be built on common sense.  It's the Enlightenment, part two.

Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am."  One suspects that Obama is convinced he "thinks, therefore it must be."

Unfortunately, as he is learning (or should be), reason, in 2009, is no better at combating perceived ignorance than it was in the 18th century.  The world simply doesn't operate in the uncontaminated realm of academic theorists.  Those darn human frailties and self-interests keep getting in the way.

Despite the media spin that the European trip was a modest to monumental success (depending on the outlet), make no mistake, it is an unmitigated disappointment when measured against the expectations set during the campaign.  Remember how easy it was supposed to be?  Obama and Biden would use their charm and deft touch to repair our image and get formerly recalcitrant allies and enemies to see things our way.

Sure, the European leaders put on their happiest faces for the Global Superstar-in-Chief, but once you take a peek under the covers of platitudinous rhetoric, it's not hard to see that Obama will be coming home with next to nothing.  And, if you buy into the theory his inner circle continuously pounds into our collective consciousness—you know the one—that Obama must strike now because he'll never be more popular, don't expect this to be an important down payment on future successes—as team Obama will attempt to convince us.

So, despite all the promises from two years on the campaign trail, and mega media hoopla, including a standing ovation from a contingent of international reporters (so much for journalism), exactly what was accomplished?  Other than the ever-popular "relationship building," and "groundwork laying," it's easier to delineate what wasn't accomplished.

At the top of that list is zero additional combat troops for Afghanistan.  Ouch!  In fact, Sarkozy categorically and matter-of-factly stated there would be no French boots on the ground.  Merkel was nearly as unequivocal.

The lack of cooperation wasn't limited to the Overseas Contingency Operation formerly known as, "War On Terror."  Obama also secured zero commitments for additional stimulus dollars.  What a kick in the pants when the Europeans are the fiscally responsible ones.

Of course, Obama was quick to tout NATO's commitment of trainers and $100 million in new Afghan aid.  Yep, $100 million.  Bernanke has more than that between his office couch cushions.  The President did get NATO member nations to unanimously endorse his Afghanistan strategy focused on driving al-Qaida from its safe-havens in Pakistan.  Whew!  And I was worried they wouldn't want us to do all the work for them. 

Just like the original Enlightenment represented a brief period in history when a quixotic few vainly believed a perfect society could be crafted out of common sense, this new Obama-led Enlightenment is almost certain to be superseded by real-world forces oblivious to today's Rousseau's.

Perhaps their efforts to reshape the world would be successful if they had more faith in basic human nature, rather than a desire to impose their idealistic geopolitical views on the "un-enlightened."