The much-anticipated United States presidential election has finally yielded its result, with Republican candidate Donald Trump attaining an overwhelming victory. After four years out of office, Trump is due to move back into the White House. However, this election, seen as one of the most fiercely contested in decades, has been marred by more than just political mudslinging between the two competing camps. Allegations of fraud, incidents of political violence, and general chaos have laid bare the deep flaws in the US electoral system.
The US presidential election holds immense significance, not only for the country but for the global political landscape. Yet it has devolved into a series of political spectacles, with this year’s contest being no exception. Initially, it was a bitter fight between two aging candidates — the incumbent President Joe Biden and the former president Trump. However, Biden’s poor performance during the presidential debate seemed to spark a sudden shift, with Vice-President Kamala Harris stepping in to replace him as the Democratic nominee. The abrupt nature of this change, without any formal input from voters or a clear mandate from the public, struck many as undemocratic and left a bad taste in the mouths of voters.
Trump, on the other hand, has benefitted from the broken election system, managing to run for office despite facing numerous criminal charges. He is currently under multiple federal indictments, including cases accusing him of mishandling classified documents after leaving office and attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Once he returns to the White House, he could appoint a new attorney general who might be inclined to drop these charges. Trump could even order the cases against himself to be dismissed directly, effectively absolving himself of any wrongdoing. This scenario underscores the absurdity and fragility of the US electoral system and its rule of law.
Beyond the candidates themselves, the voting process this year was rife with irregularities and allegations of fraud. For instance, incidents in Washington state and Oregon saw ballot boxes deliberately set on fire, with hundreds of votes destroyed. In another case, a real estate agent in California admitted online that she filled out four mail-in ballots for former tenants who had not updated their addresses, casting all four votes for Trump. While authorities investigated and the estate agent denied any criminal intent, the situation revealed significant vulnerabilities in the voting system. Additionally, on election day, polling stations in key swing states like Georgia and Pennsylvania received bomb threats via email, forcing temporary shutdowns and evacuations. Although these turned out to be false alarms, the disruptions likely discouraged many voters from turning up, making the election results easier to manipulate.
It’s no surprise, then, that many Americans are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the electoral process. The country’s faith in its own democracy is plummeting, and the number of people considering emigrating has reached an all-time high. This trend reflects the growing sense that American democracy is not only failing to produce capable leaders but is also exacerbating societal divisions. Despite these glaring internal issues and the obvious flaws in its own electoral system, the US continues to position itself as the world’s moral authority, attempting to export its brand of democracy globally — often with little success.
Supporters of American democracy often dismiss criticisms by pointing to supposed deficiencies in other countries. They argue that these nations lack the necessary legal frameworks, media oversight, or an informed public to implement democracy effectively. However, this argument rings hollow when “genuine” American democracy itself is riddled with dysfunction. The idealization of Western democratic systems, particularly the American model, has proved to be deeply flawed.
At the heart of the issue is the fact that the US’ democratic process no longer seems capable of addressing the needs and desires of its people. Instead of fostering an inclusive, fair and transparent election, the system has become a battleground for power-hungry elites who use every tool at their disposal, legal or otherwise, to win. The chaos of the 2024 election is just the latest example in a long line of troubling developments that have eroded public trust in the system.
Moreover, the politicization of the judiciary and other institutions has further undermined confidence in the rule of law. When a candidate can run for office while facing serious criminal charges and could potentially manipulate the justice system if elected, it sends a clear message: The powerful are above the law. This not only weakens the fabric of American democracy but also sets a dangerous precedent for other countries looking to the US as a model.
The US’ inability to fix its own problems while continuing to lecture others on the virtues of democracy is not only hypocritical but also damaging to its global standing. The idea that the US can impose its version of democracy on other nations when it struggles to maintain it at home is increasingly difficult to justify.
In the end, this election has highlighted just how fragile and flawed the American democratic system has become. Political violence, allegations of voter fraud, and a general sense of chaos have left many questioning whether the system is still functional. For the US to regain its credibility, both at home and abroad, it must first confront the deep-seated issues in its own electoral process. Only then can it hope to offer a model of democracy that others might actually want to follow.
The author is the convener at China Retold, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
