US democracy promotion faces tough test as next election approaches
US foreign-policy experts worry about democracy promotion efforts if next election gets disputed. Recent polls show close race while concerns grow about possible election result challenges
The next US presidential race brings up hard-to-solve questions about promoting democracy world-wide. With less than a year till election day polls show a close match-up between president Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump
Recent statements from Trump and his running mate JD Vance dont give clear answers about accepting election results (unless they win). Election watchers point to better-organized plans for challenging state electors than what happened about 3 years ago; while Trump already talks about ballot problems in key-state Pennsylvania
Our soft power our ability to attract and inspire has already been damaged by all this
The world-wide picture shows democracy losing ground: more non-democratic governments pop up; groups like expanded-BRICS take anti-west positions; and even inside EU some leaders support non-democratic ideas. The US tries to fight this trend by organizing democracy meet-ups but results arenʼt great
- Future of NATO
- Ukraine support questions
- Possible trade conflicts
- Democracy credentials damage
Derek Mitchell from Center for Strategic Studies thinks US democracy work is part of its DNA — but recent home problems make it harder to push these ideas abroad. The Jan-6 events impact still shows up when other leaders try similar things: like what happened in Brazil after their last big vote
Looking back at history US always had some democracy problems while promoting it elsewhere. Even during times of segregation and before womens voting rights presidents talked about making world safe for democracy. Some experts say current problems might help US better understand other countries democracy struggles: showing how hard it is to keep democratic ideas working
