In the tumult that always accompanies a US presidential election – with each side fearing the end of “democracy” or “America” if the other side prevails – some Americans have lost sight of what admirers see clearly from afar: A remarkable, resilient country on which turns the hopes and inspirations of the world.
Every US presidential election is billed as “the most consequential election of our lives.” In reality, America’s current polarization is not new, not unhealthy, and its open airing of differences is what sets the US apart from much of the rest of the world.
America should not doubt the strength of its civil society, endowed with a forest of institutions, not a single tree of which can be easily felled. The US has an elected and term-limited president, independent courts that rule against governments of both political parties, and two houses of Congress that check and balance each other. It has a free press and a thicket of non-governmental organizations that act as watchdogs.
The strength of its democracy has made the United States the most powerful and influential country in the world. Its institutions work, which is why America will remain America, regardless of who is elected president.
Remember, America is dynamic. A new generation of politicians (which Kamala Harris embodies) is rising on the back of support from a new generation of Americans, who are in turn shaped by different experiences and expectations. The internet, with its immediacy, choice, and personalization, has shaped Americans under the age of 50 in ways that the Biden generation may not fathom. Both political parties will have to adapt to a rising cohort of voters.
America’s ability to balance political opposites has long been its superpower. This allows the nation to move rapidly in times of crisis while more brittle nation-states crumble.
Perhaps Ronald Reagan, in one of his last speeches as President, explained best how America continually renews itself:
“For it’s the great life force of each generation of new Americans that guarantees that America’s triumph shall continue unsurpassed into the next century and beyond. Other countries may seek to compete with us; but in one vital area, as a beacon of freedom and opportunity that draws the people of the world, no country on Earth comes close.
“This, I believe, is one of the most important sources of America’s greatness. We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people — our strength — from every country and every corner of the world. And by doing so we continuously renew and enrich our nation. While other countries cling to the stale past, here in America we breathe life into dreams. We create the future, and the world follows us into tomorrow.”
Now to the competition between Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump. The Vice President, a woman of character and a former prosecutor, has benefited from the support of major Democratic Party leaders, including President Biden, former President Obama, Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among others.
In one of the shortest acceptance speeches in Democratic Party history, Harris carefully balanced between opposing factions in her own party. On Israel, she reiterated her support – “I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself,” while underlining that she was working to see that “the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.” She was careful to avoid divisive or bold stands on Ukraine, Taiwan, Iran or other flashpoints. The word most commonly used by America’s largest news outlets to describe Harris’ most important speech so far was “disciplined.”
The image of former President Donald J. Trump, at the age of 78, struggling with Secret Service agents to stand, raising his fist in the air and shouting: “Fight! Fight! Fight!” resonates among his supporters and many people around the world.
But that image and that sense of grievance may not be enough to carry the election. President Trump must rally as many Americans as possible around a feasible program for the future.
He needs a sober and pragmatic plan to grow the economy for all Americans. He needs a strategy to stave off rising competition with China beyond higher tariffs, which could be economically ruinous for America. The Defense Department needs to be overhauled. Finally, the Abraham Accords need to be strengthened and expanded.
Trump needs to acknowledge that the menaces to the safety of the world are crowding around America and her allies: Iran is waging a proxy war with Israel, Russia is inching forward in Ukraine, China has put the world’s largest navy to sea, and terror groups are emboldened and murderous.
To an outside observer, this presidential election is another catalyst for America’s relentless national spirit to renew and grow. It is also another opportunity to show the world that America’s institutions are resilient and America’s constitution is revered by its public.
This is the only way forward. For Democrats and Republicans to see the good in one another and unite to rebuild America, so that it can once again inspire hope in its friends and deter its foes.
