US democracy in the context of prez race

American democracy, while not perfect, is widely regarded as the most transparent and vibrant in the world, praised globally for its democratic process and the rule of law. The democratic process in the US is consistently practiced from the local level to the federal government, instilling faith in the Constitution and the governmental institutions. However, political polarization has significantly increased. Since the 2016 presidential election, US democracy has faced numerous challenges in maintaining public trust. 

The recent announcement that President Joe Biden will not seek reelection and has endorsed Vice-president (VP) Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate has introduced a new political dynamic. Many Democrats and American voters praised President Biden’s decision to endorse Kamala Harris as the next Democratic presidential nominee. However, some within the new Republican political spectrum are skeptical. Trump Republicans criticize her as a radical leftist and an incompetent candidate for the US presidency.

Despite the political blame-game surrounding the election campaign, US democracy remains strong and continues to prove the nation as a land of opportunities. As the world watches Kamala Harris as the presumed Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election, analysts believe that US democracy is still robust and functioning well. Nothing is impossible in America, a country that values the core principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, fair and free elections, separation of powers, and civil participation. VP Harris, the daughter of immigrant parents, becoming the presumed Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election, exemplifies the power of democracy.

America has never elected a woman president, but Kamala Harris, who holds the second-highest office in the land, is on the path to potentially achieving this milestone. Despite many developed and developing countries already having women leaders, Americans have hesitated to elect a woman president. If Harris becomes the Democratic nominee and wins the election, she will make history as the first woman, Black person, and person of South Asian descent to serve as US president. However, her path to victory is challenging, and she may face significant obstacles in her campaign.

America remains a patriarchal society, with people often having less trust in women leaders, perceiving them as weaker. During the 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump criticized his opponent, Hillary Clinton, calling her a weaker leader and stating that she should not be the commander-in-chief of the military. This type of misogynistic thinking plays a significant role in US politics and society. Data suggest that the US lags behind many of its allies regarding the gender pay gap. According to Pew Research, women earned, on average, 82 cents for every dollar earned by a man in 2022. Additionally, the US Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v Wade has made abortion access more difficult for women. These examples demonstrate that America continues to practice patriarchy, and gender equality is neither a linear process nor a guaranteed outcome in the US

Misinformation and propaganda campaigns have played a huge role in recent elections in the United States. Trump has a proven record of spreading misinformation among far-right activists and his nationalist base. He attacks everyone who opposes his views with hate, bullying, and authoritative language. He attacked Barack Obama stating that he was not a US-born citizen, and he already started intimidating VP Harris with a similar tone. He focused on personal attacks rather than policy agendas in his election campaign, which disregards democratic values, integrity and moral perspectives. Media and online social platforms make it easy to spread false information and there is no control mechanism over it. When leaders fail to demonstrate integrity and moral values, their followers may choose a similar shallow path. Despite this, VP Harries has strong support from the educated and young enthusiastic voters, which is a plus for her in this election. 

In her book, former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney expressed concern over the Republican Party’s shift from traditional conservatism to a more populist and nationalist agenda. She was particularly disturbed by Trump's endorsement of conspiracy theories, his assaults on US institutions, and his neglect of democratic principles. Cheney argued that Trump’s leadership represented a significant danger to American democracy. An increasing number of Republican leaders are distancing themselves from the party due to Trump’s vision, which they believe undermines democratic values and threatens American democracy. 

In recent years, members of both the Democratic and Republican parties have shifted to more extreme positions on certain issues. While the Democratic Party has demonstrated its ability to unite despite internal divisions, the Republican Party has struggled to find common ground and has become increasingly fractured. Trump will undoubtedly launch personal attacks on VP Harris during the election campaign, but Democratic leaders appear united in their support for her as they aim to win the battle. 

A 2023 Pew Research survey revealed that 60 percent of Americans often feel exhausted when thinking about politics, while 55 percent frequently feel angry. Only 10 percent of respondents often feel hopeful about politics, and fewer than four percent feel excited. Many voters are discontented with politics and political leaders due to the blame-game and perceived lack of integrity. However, American political and governmental institutions remain strong, enabling them to perform their duties with less fear compared to other countries. Despite political divisions, US democracy remains robust and capable of upholding democratic values for its people, thanks to these resilient institutions.

The upcoming American presidential election is drawing significant global attention, not only due to intense political conflict within the US but also because of escalating tensions between various nations. The American presidency can greatly influence the Israeli war in Gaza, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the shifting power dynamics between the United States and China. To navigate these changes in the world order and maintain geopolitical hegemony, the US must continue to stand by its global allies. President Biden’s willingness to step down from political power and promote the democratic process exemplifies American democratic values. However, selecting the right leader for the White House is a crucial decision that will be made in the upcoming election.

While American democracy faces significant challenges, including political polarization, misinformation, and enduring gender inequality, it remains a robust and resilient system. The potential presidential run of Kamala Harris highlights both the progress and the ongoing struggles within this democracy. Harris’s candidacy is historic, and despite the obstacles she faces, her strong support from young and educated voters underscores the dynamic nature of American politics. As the world watches the upcoming election, the United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to democratic values and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of choosing a leader capable of navigating both domestic and global challenges.

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