Executive summary

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States of America, died recently on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100. While Carter’s time as president saw him accomplish the Camp David Accords and the Panama Canal Treaties, he still made it a priority to be very active post-presidency. Carter won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his work finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts. His track record in the Middle East also led to lasting strife. Carter’s death sparked nationwide sadness yet also a distinct remembrance of his plentiful accomplishments. An important lesson to be taken away from Carter’s work post-presidency, especially for youth nowadays, is that a powerful position is not necessary to make impactful changes in society.

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History

Born in 1924 in Plains, Georgia, Carter’s life took him from peanut farming to winning the presidency. After serving in the Navy, and later in local politics, he was elected president in 1976. His presidency is remembered by several significant achievements, including the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, the Panama Canal treaties, and expanding on relations with China. Carter also created the Departments of Energy and Education, while making human rights a pillar of US policy. Despite challenges like the Iran hostage crisis and various economic hiccups, Carter’s post-presidency years are hallmarked by humanitarian work. He and his wife Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982, which focuses on global health, human rights, and solving conflicts. Their humanitarian work helped nearly eradicate guinea worm disease, reducing cases down to 14 in 2023. Besides that, they committed themselves to Habitat for Humanity, working alongside thousands of volunteers to repair homes. In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in finding peaceful solutions to global conflicts. Authoring 32 books, Carter’s legacy continues to extend far beyond his presidency, containing his lifelong dedication to public service, human rights, and humanitarian causes. The impact he had on American politics will be remembered for generations to come.

Ramifications

Effects

• President Carter’s term was characterized by a number of significant foreign policy accomplishments which included the Camp David Accords, which brought peace between Israel and Egypt, and the normalization of the US relationship with China. His death leaves a void in the legacy of moral diplomacy that sought to prioritize human rights and peaceful negotiations, a focus that current leaders must take up amid rising global tensions. 
• Domestically, the Carter administration’s energy policy was instrumental in setting the stage for the later debates on climate change and sustainability. Though the immediate negative economic impact of some measures caused major public scrutiny, in retrospect, the proposals were important in drawing public attention toward climate change and sustainable energy. The departments of the US Secretary of Energy and National Climate Advisor strive to echo Carter’s early emphasis on environmental issues and creating a pathway for sustainable energy policies. 
• Beyond his presidency, Carter’s commitment to humanitarianism, majorly in Africa, where he engaged in the eradication of diseases, revealed the importance and influence of leaders in global health initiatives even beyond their tenure. 

Stakeholders

• American citizens directly benefited from Carter’s energy policies while policymakers still struggle with the shortcomings identified by Carter, thus making his domestic agenda relevant to the ongoing discussions about energy and climate change.
• The leaders and organizations across the globe who were most influenced by Carter’s activities in geopolitics and humanitarian efforts will be the first to recognize his contributions to the peace and development processes.
• Multitudes of individuals from the developing world have gained because of the Carter Center’s activities. The governments, the international organizations such as WHO, and the communities all involved in public health have felt Carter’s humanitarian vision. As the Carter Center continues its work, it must navigate sustaining his legacy without the weight of Carter’s personal involvement. 

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Conclusions

Former President Jimmy Carter’s death sent emotional shockwaves through the country, but the concrete impact of his presidency and post-presidency humanitarian work will continue to affect many. This includes his positive impact on energy policy, global human rights, and disease prevention, as well as his role in the development of the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS, and his failure in the Iran hostage crisis.

Acknowledgment

The Institute for Youth in Policy wishes to acknowledge Anagha Nagesh, Nolan Ezzet and other contributors for developing and maintaining the Policy Department within the Institute.

References

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2. “Carter Work Project.” Habitat for Humanity. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habitat.org/carter-work-project. 
3. Coll, Steve. Ghost Wars (New York: Penguin Press, 2004). https://archive.org/details/ghostwarssecreth00coll/page/46/mode/2up.  
4. Dawber, Alistair. “Silence Falls as Jimmy Carter Returns to Washington One Last Time.” The Times. January 8, 2025. ‍
5. https://www.thetimes.com/article/71264d93-c0ea-4569-b521-51445318f622. 
6. Donilon, Tom. “What Jimmy Carter Left Behind.” Foreign Affairs. December 29, 2024. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/what-jimmy-carter-left-behind. 
7. Fingert, Tyler. “Carter Center continues former president’s legacy of tackling global challenges.” Fox 5 Atlanta. January 3, 2025. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/carter-center-continues-former-presidents-legacy-tackling-global-challenges. 
8. Fowler, Stephen and Sprunt, Barbara. “U.S. Leaders Honor Former President Jimmy Carter’s Legacy of Service and Citizenship.” NPR. January 7, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/07/nx-s1-5249994/jimmy-carter-funeral-washington-dc.
9. “Jimmy Carter 100: His most notable achievements, things you may not know.” Fox 5 Atlanta. December 29, 2024. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/jimmy-carter-100-his-most-notable-achievements-things-you-may-not-know.  
10. “Jimmy Carter.” The White House Historical Association. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/jimmy-carter.  
11. Mulrine, Anna. “Afghan Warlords, Formerly Backed by the CIA, Now Turn Their Guns on U.S. Troops.” US News. July 11, 2008. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2008/07/11/afghan-warlords-formerly-backed-by-the-cia-now-turn-their-guns-on-us-troops. 
12. “Mujahideen | Afghanistan, History, Meaning, & Significance.” Brittanica. Accessed January 2, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/mujahideen-Afghani-rebels. 
13. “Official Bio for President Jimmy Carter.” The Carter Center. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.cartercenter.org/about/experts/jimmy_carter.html. 
14. Takeyh, Ray and Weiss, Gideon. “The Legacy of Jimmy Carter’s Foreign Policy.” The Council of Foreign Relations. December 29, 2024. https://www.cfr.org/article/legacy-jimmy-carters-foreign-policy.
15. “The presidency, life and legacy of Jimmy Carter.” The Brookings Register. January 3, 2025. https://brookingsregister.com/stories/the-presidency-life-and-legacy-of-jimmy-carter,116914. 

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