By Inderjit Badhwar
In the long and often tumultuous history of American elections, moments of fierce debate and ideological divides have not been rare. From the Nixon-McCarthy era during the Vietnam War, when American streets teemed with protestors, to the Watergate scandal that questioned presidential integrity, the system was tested, but ultimately upheld. Even as Nixon resisted, his party—Republican stalwarts like Senator Howard Baker—chose constitutional duty over partisan loyalty, preserving the nation’s democratic bedrock. Today, however, America stands at a darker crossroads where the risks are arguably greater, and where the fragility of democracy is unmistakably laid bare.
A System Flawed, But Better Than Most
American democracy has long touted itself as a beacon of freedom and fairness, but the Electoral College system raises fundamental questions about the integrity of this claim. The College was originally devised as a safeguard, yet it has increasingly enabled candidates who do not command the popular majority to ascend to the White House. It allows a margin for manipulation, where a leader can claim a mandate with a minority vote—a flaw that has persisted, but has grown more apparent in a nation deeply divided. Yet despite its imperfections, American democracy remains resilient. Its institutions are, theoretically, designed to withstand such assaults, but they are only as strong as those who lead and support them.
Trump’s Pledge for Autocracy
Now, in a radical departure from past norms, a candidate openly espouses an agenda that strikes at the heart of these democratic institutions. Donald Trump, an opportunist by any standard, has built a campaign not on the foundation of democracy, but on promises that starkly resemble the aspirations of authoritarian regimes. Trump speaks openly of using the military against “enemies within,” targeting and silencing political opposition, and revoking fundamental rights. The shocking part? His message resonates with nearly half of the electorate, emboldening him and his MAGA base.
Trump’s plans to subvert the press, target minorities, and exploit power are clear. He vows to jail his political adversaries, with rhetoric as chilling as it is incendiary. Immigrants, particularly those of colour, are scapegoated and demonized—dehumanized as “vermin” or painted with horrific stereotypes designed to evoke fear and disgust. The pledge to disregard the election result should it not be in his favour is the most blatant threat to democracy yet. These promises are not mere words; they are an assault on the values America was built upon.
A Movement Fuelled by Hate
This election is about more than Trump; it’s about the force he leads. Former member of Trump’s inner circle have unabashedly called him a fascist and a Hitler admirer, a man who entertains racists and Holocaust deniers at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Despite this, a disturbing number of Americans, including many of faith, are unshaken. They stand behind a leader whose vitriol is directed at immigrants, people of colour, and women, rather than denouncing it. The concept of a shared humanity is eroded when the President-to-be can slander Vice-President Harris with a level of vulgarity that has no place in civil society—yet there are no consequences, only cheers.
MAGA and the Delayed Backlash of Obama’s Legacy
To understand the rise of this movement, one must look back to the election of America’s first Black President. Barack Obama’s victory in 2008, a historical achievement for a nation still grappling with its legacy of racial inequality, was a beacon of hope. Yet, it also gave birth to an insidious reactionary movement. The Tea Party was its first manifestation, steeped in conservative outrage. Over time, it morphed into the MAGA movement—a calculated rebellion against diversity and progress, a thinly veiled call to “Make America White Again”.
MAGA, a nostalgic vision of a “pure” America, seeks to erase the progress made since the Civil Rights Movement. For many, Trump has become the symbol of this regressive vision, the “Führer” to lead them back to an imagined past. Immigrants and non-white citizens are scapegoated in ways reminiscent of the demonization of Jews in 1930s Germany. Trump’s America is a land where brown and yellow immigrants are the new “pollutants” of a white Fatherland. This racial animosity isn’t confined to fringe groups; it has been mainstreamed, a terrifying testament to the dangers of unchecked power.
The Threat to American Institutions
Trump’s agenda, should he return to power, presents an existential crisis for American democracy. The Supreme Court, stacked with right-wing justices, may offer little resistance. But the hope lies in the nation’s remaining institutions: Congress, the governorships, the judiciary, and the civic organizations that constitute the American backbone. The question is whether they are resilient enough to withstand the assault that Trumpism represents.
For democracy to survive, these institutions must not merely exist—they must actively resist. The judiciary, at every level, must assert its independence. Congress must rediscover bipartisanship in defense of democratic values, setting aside partisan gains for the greater good. Governors and mayors must refuse to be complicit in unconstitutional orders. Union leaders, community organizers, and civic bodies must lead the charge in defending the Constitution and advocating for justice.
America’s soul is on the line, and history will judge those who stood by and those who resisted. This election is more than a contest of policies; it is a referendum on the future of democracy. Trumpism seeks to establish an “Evil Empire” within, a government of fear, repression, and brutality. The stakes are not just national—they are global. The world watches to see whether American democracy can withstand its most significant test yet.
Conclusion: A Plea for Vigilance and Action
The American election of 2024 is not a choice between two candidates—it is a choice between democracy and dictatorship, between hope and hatred. History teaches that democracies are fragile, that they require vigilance, courage, and sacrifice to survive. America’s founders built a system that has endured the storms of centuries, but they could not anticipate a leader who would embrace their fears so openly.
This election is a call to all Americans, a reminder that their democracy is not invincible. It demands action, unity, and an unwavering commitment to truth. As the nation approaches this historic vote, let it be a moment of reckoning—a chance to reject fear, to reject hate, and to reaffirm that America still believes in the ideals upon which it was founded.