The democracy of America is in danger

In a number of days, the destiny of the following occupant of the White House can be decided in what will be the most thrilling election within the historical past of the United States. This election has been marked by an assassination try on one of many candidates, in addition to the present president’s withdrawal from the race as a consequence of age and declining well being. Additionally, there’s widespread scepticism amongst voters relating to the electoral course of, which many consider doesn’t precisely mirror the opinions of the American citizens. This scepticism is exacerbated by the complexity of the electoral system, which stays largely misunderstood by many citizens. In reality, the present election has revealed the profound disaster dealing with America right now, not solely within the diminished calibre of the competing Democratic and Republican candidates but in addition within the elementary ideas and ideas upon which this nice empire, pleased with its democracy, was constructed.

The 250-year-old American democracy has confronted 4 years of unprecedented challenges, starting with the violent riots that sought to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election, the felony conviction of former President Donald Trump, and his persistent claims that the electoral course of was “rigged.” Additionally, inflation, tradition, identification wars, and geopolitical crises have contributed to frustration amongst many citizens relating to American politics and decision-makers, who they consider have did not ship important companies to the general public.

The United States is widely known as a nation of immigrants from Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, making it culturally, ethnically, and religiously numerous. The idea of belonging on this context is much less about land or historical past and extra in regards to the stage of improvement, prosperity, and civil rights which were earned and paid for by generations of those varied ethnic, spiritual, and cultural teams. Consequently, no single group can declare unique possession of the land or assert a superior proper to belong, nor can they justify the next standing over others. However, historic realities have imposed totally different notions, resulting in the notion that the white European race is extra entitled to dominance and management. This has resulted in emotions of isolation and marginalization amongst different teams, who’ve confronted blatant and inhumane discrimination that persists right now in varied varieties, as evidenced by the actions of politicians, extremist racial teams, and safety establishments. This is exemplified by the tragic case of George Floyd, an African American, amongst many others who’ve skilled comparable injustices.

It is true that these immigrants didn’t arrive in America beneath the identical circumstances; some got here searching for a greater life to fulfil their potential, whereas others had been forcibly taken and enslaved. However, in any case these years, they’ve nonetheless not managed to combine right into a unified group primarily based on the precept of range, nor have they shaped a homeland for all its residents, the place they will expertise equality in the appropriate to life, entry to training, meals, healthcare, and private safety. This features a shared sense of belonging to humanity, the place no particular person is favoured over one other besides by the contributions they make to their nation.

There is little doubt that the United States is at present experiencing a fractured identification disaster, which necessitates immediate consideration, particularly in gentle of the emergence of far-right political events or teams. This state of affairs has been exacerbated by Donald Trump’s defeat within the current presidential elections and the following occasions and positions that adopted.

A current opinion ballot printed by The New York Times in collaboration with Siena College has confirmed that three-quarters of voters consider that American democracy is dealing with a real existential risk. Nearly half of the respondents really feel it doesn’t precisely signify the populace. The survey presents a moderately bleak outlook simply days earlier than ballots are solid nationwide, with 45% of contributors asserting that American democracy fails to signify all Americans precisely.

Three-quarters of voters specific the idea that democracy is dealing with an existential risk, though their perceptions of the danger components range considerably primarily based on their political inclinations. A majority of voters understand the federal government as being tainted by corruption, with 62% stating that it primarily operates within the pursuits of itself and the political and monetary elites, moderately than for the frequent good.

These sentiments have led a good portion of voters, exactly 58%, to consider that the monetary and political programs within the nation require complete reforms or a whole overhaul. This raises questions on why the federal government seems incapable of addressing financial points and is sluggish to deal with the urgent considerations confronted by its residents.

Despite these sentiments, voters additionally expressed confidence within the presidential election system for the upcoming elections. Approximately 80% of voters—comprising Republicans, Democrats, and independents—consider that the outcomes of the 2024 presidential election can be correct. This marks an enchancment from two years in the past when round 70% of voters expressed confidence within the consequence of the midterm elections.

Americans understand their mainstream media and social media as detrimental to democracy. In the age of the web, journalism has mastered the artwork of politicizing anger, contributing to the prevalence of paranoia and mistrust. Furthermore, the American voter believes that each one media retailers are a part of an built-in system of poisonous and self-reinforcing data. However, solely 7% of voters indicated that democracy is probably the most crucial subject of their presidential elections. Nonetheless, voters have expressed discomfort with the authoritarian tendencies of political leaders. Only 21% of grownup voters supported the notion that the president ought to have the ability to act exterior the legislation as deemed acceptable.

Voters are experiencing vital nervousness relating to how Trump will reply to the election leads to the occasion of a loss. Six out of ten voters are unsure whether or not Trump will settle for the outcomes, and almost half of the citizens— together with 12% of Republicans—specific considerations that Trump and his supporters could try and overturn the election by means of unlawful means. In distinction, most voters throughout varied political affiliations specific confidence that Harris will settle for the election outcomes, with few fearing that she would search to contest the outcomes if she had been to lose.

The current years have witnessed a troubling sample of racial discrimination within the United States, significantly towards residents of African and Latin American descent, in addition to Muslims, alongside a rising tide of Islamophobia. This state of affairs signifies that the nation is grappling with a deep-seated identification disaster. It could now be crucial to formulate new insurance policies and constitutional amendments that affirm the capability for coexistence amongst numerous identities, promote integration, and remove any notions of racial or identification superiority.

Dr. Hatem Sadek – Professor at Helwan University