Let’s hope election heralds a new path for America, at home and in the world
Predictably, the world held its breath this week as Americans went to vote for a new president. Global interest in the election reflected the powerful role played by the US in world affairs, and its importance in dealing with the challenges facing the world today. As the world’s biggest economy, developments in that country have an influence on the economic fate of much of humanity. It matters, for instance, whether it chooses a hostile, jingoistic trade stance that wants to “put America first”, or seeks a more harmonious, mutually beneficial relationship with the rest of the world.
Secondly, as one of the superpowers and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the US’s role is key in the maintenance of world peace, one of the prerequisites for humanity’s progress.
And if the world is to successfully fight climate change, another peril facing humankind, the participation of the US, a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, will be crucial.
The US and its admirers often portray it as the model democracy, “the land of the free” — despite its history of slavery and present-day racial problems (highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement). But the rancorous campaigning preceding the poll — admittedly fuelled by an imbecilic White House incumbent — proved once more that American democracy is anything but perfect. As did the long-standing, curious reality that winning the popular vote does not necessarily guarantee a candidate the keys to the White House.
In addition, this week’s elections demonstrated that, far from being the ideal democracy, the “leader of the free world” would do well to take a lesson or two from other countries, where election results are a more direct manifestation of the will of the people.
Donald Trump’s attitude to the electionwas unbecoming of the leader of a nation that has portrayed itself as the world’s custodian of democracy and freedom.
He continually rubbished postal voting, which is an integral feature of the American system. He made utterances which potentially could have the effect of delegitimising the election outcome in the eyes of his supporters.
This is behaviour which might be expected in some of the states he once described as “shithole countries”. In future, despots seeking to hold on to power might look to Trump as a role model. Emulating him, they might support the democratic system only to the extent it yields results favoured by themselves. If it doesn’t, they would feel entitled to ride roughshod over it to further their narrow, personal interests.
The fact is thatwhile much of humanity believes in democracy — being the right of people to elect leaders, who are in turn accountable to citizens — the American system is hardly the only legitimate model. There’s no one-size-fits-all iteration of democracy. Rather, in each country, democracy is a creature of the nation’s unique history and aspirations, and a reflection of its value system.
It is hoped that, when the dust has settled, the new occupant of the Oval Office will be less capricious than his predecessor, and will seek to chart a different, co-operative path in his country’s relations with the rest of the world.
Instead of treating Africa and the rest of the third world with disdain, he should seek to build a mutually beneficial relationship of equals. The world would benefit, as well, from dealing with an America that sees itself as an intrinsic part of the global community, playing an active part in searching for solutions to humanity’s problems. These range from peacekeeping, to economic development, fighting inequality and addressing environmental threats.
In future, despots might look to Trump as a role model