Every American election cycle, the United States gets a chance to pound its chest and thumb its nose at the world and unabashedly proclaim its self-appointed status as the great exemplar of democracy. In this, they showcase the glory of a matured democracy; the dignified concession speeches within minutes of the networks calling the race for a specific candidate, the graceful transfer of power begins with statesman and stateswoman cooperation between the opposing camps and a general seamless return to non-elections life. It is worthy to note America’s history of post-elections pageantry of statesmanship captured in famous handovers; Carter to Reagan, Regan to Bush, Bush to Clinton, Clinton to Bush and Bush to Obama. For decades, America’s distinguished dignified peaceful transfer of power has been the gold standard of democracy and has been the admiration of the global community.
Regrettably, for the first time, these democratic niceties are not being administered due to the Donald J. Trump being at the helm and as a consequence, we are engulfed with trepidation and worry that American democracy may succumb to Trumpism.
THE NEGATIVE EXAMPLE
While America might eventually figure out its politics and resolve the imbroglio, the fascist postures and saber-rattling of Trump in refusing to accept the results of the elections without credible evidence teems with frightening implications for citizens of the world who are at the mercy of leaders with a penchant for President for life ambitions. Indeed, we do repudiate America for its oftentimes overreach and interference when pursuing its narrow interests but deep down inside, we harbor desires for this beautiful idea for a nation to remain a constant deterrent to those who undermine democracy around the globe.
This sordid post-election development certainly dents their credibility to lecture fascists and autocrats.
TRUMPISM’S HYPOCRISY
The land of the Founding Fathers’ double standard and hypocrisy when pursuing its interests under the safe refuge of commitment to democracy did not begin and will not end with Donald Trump. The catalog of hypocritical display runs the gamut of global contexts. However, this time around, it is rich because it emerges from the homeland. Trumpism argues; elections are not about strictly a numerical count, concessions must come after the certification and verification of results when all legal processes are exhausted and only legal and valid votes reflect the will of the people. We will tell the emperor that in the absence of credible evidence, this is dangerous argumentation in countries without the institutions and systems to withstand these justifications for clinging to power? Anti-democratic leaders have earned the dangerous right to say: ‘It was done in America and it can be done here’.
It is for this and other reasons, America’s democracy must survive Trumpism.
