2024 has been 'the' year of elections
64 countries which make up 49% of the human population headed to the polls in 2024. As the year comes to an end, we find ourselves on the eve of perhaps the most consequential election of them all : The US Presidential Election.
Why should an Aussie care?
Whether we like it or not, the decisions taken on Capitol Hill, greatly impacts all our lives.
This time around, the two presidential candidates have come to the elections with policies so different, it has even overshadowed consideration of the obvious differences in their character...
Depending on which way the American public votes, the fate of global trade and commerce as well as major conflicts playing out in Russia/Ukraine and the Middle East will change. It may seem like far away conflicts but even in Australia we've felt its inflationary effect.
Depending on the foreign policy stance taken towards Asia-Pacific, we may also see our peaceful part of the world dragged into conflicts that no Aussie even remotely desires...
Then, there are issues central to democracy, freedom, justice and women's reproductive rights that are at stake. It is sad that in this day and age these issues are even up for debate. Disturbingly, copycat activism around abortion has already started to play out in Australia.
The scourge of inequality
As outsiders, it is perplexing to see the deep divisions that have formed in a once proud and unified American society. It's causes are multifaceted but a central issue that is hard to ignore is inequality.
People left out by the system, with no way out and no hope to better themselves and their kids' fortunes, have rallied against the government and the institutions that support them. They feel left behind and forgotten by the "elites" at the helm of these institutions. To the disenfranchised voter these elites have for decades rolled out policies that benefited corporations at the expense of the individual.
The most potent example of this was was during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008 as the US government rolled out massive bail out packages for banks, without an iota of accountability, whilst leaving many of their victims high and dry. Without the bailouts, the fallouts would have been much worse but this is little comfort to folks who lost their homes and savings.
The searing anger that boiled over in the wake of the GFC has galvanised into the modern day MAGA movement.
There have been many contributing factors e.g. lack of affordability and access to healthcare and higher education, loss of personal freedoms during COVID, a perception of over regulation and overreach by the government, cultural wars that have been staged around 'wokeism' and low overall quality of life thanks to low minimum wages and worker protections.
Over a trillion dollars spent waging wars on distant lands whilst the local services and infrastructure suffered, has not helped the cause either. The riches of Wall Street and Silicon Valley have also failed to filter down - rather it has created a series of powerful billionaires who are now exerting their influence over media and public discourse.
In such an environment, distrust and dislike of the "other" festers.
It's hardly surprising then that anyone who enters the foray with promises to crash and burn 'the establishment' and their sacred cows is willingly embraced: Their extreme rhetoric, a welcome change from the whitewashed words spoken by silver tongued politicians who have failed the populace, time and time again.
Strange medicine
To some extent the grievances and frustrations of the disenfranchised voter in the US are justified. However, at times they are also self contradictory e.g. complaining about government overreach on personal freedoms while supporting repression of reproductive rights...
In similar vein, the remedy being proffered by the various messiahs of the movement will do little to improve their situation.
This is what has bemused and baffled the many pundits on the Left : Why are the disenfranchised populace supporting people and policies that will only make things worse - for them and everyone else?
The explanations offered have ranged from those who are true believers and see the radical policies as what America needs, to perhaps the more mainstream folks who agree with the policy direction but don't think it will be as radical in practice. Either way, they seem to agree that the old ways have not delivered for them so, why not try something different? If the doom and gloom scenario does transpire, it may lead to a much needed reset: A phoenix may yet arise out of the ashes.
A dangerous gamble
Destabilising or destroying systems and institutions that have, by and large, worked - without first designing a viable alternative, is a huge gamble. It creates a power vacuum which tends to get exploited by malevolent forces whose primary goal is to consolidate their own power, wealth and status. Americans, with their history of destabilising foreign governments, should know this better than most ...
Although better system may eventually arise, it is rarely happens without considerable suffering first. For those who are already suffering, it's seems to be a gamble they are willing to take.
The lesson we need to learn
Equality is the foundation of all harmonious societies.
A society made up of "haves" and "have nots" can never be a peaceful one.
In societies with a history of deep social and economic prejudice, we cannot simply rely on individual agency to somehow spontaneously give birth to equality. Interventions and support through public services are necessary to give the disadvantaged, a leg up.
Leaving people behind, with no hope for progress and without any feeling of connection to the communities they live in or to the national narrative, is not only dangerous but also incredibly unkind.
Words also do little to heal the wound of those suffering from social and economic exclusion. Only meaningful action and outcomes will heal the divide.
How to foster equality
In Australia, we are blessed with many of the public services that helps people 'have a go' and live with hope and dignity. These are things like access to decent public education, skills training and higher education, public healthcare, social security and minimum wage mandates. Then there are other protections for reproductive rights and freedom from discrimination.
These public services and rights cannot be taken for granted: We need to be politically engaged to ensure that self serving politicians don't dismantle these critical safety nets that have helped so many in our society. Where necessary we need to advocate for governments to mend the holes in these nets and make the changes necessary to give everyone in the country a cause for hope and optimism for their future.
Addressing the ongoing disadvantage faced by indigenous Australians for example, should be a priority, as should be the plight of younger Australians who are not only being priced out of home ownership but will also inherit the negative effects of climate change.
For those of us who find ourselves in privileged positions, it is also our responsibility to do what we can to give others a leg up. No one makes it in life on their own and sometimes all it takes is a simple gesture to make an impact on someone's life.
Remembering our shared humanity
On the eve of what has been a divisive US Presidential election, the themes of which will no doubt find their way into next year's Australian Federal election, we need to remember our shared humanity.
The societies we live in are no longer homogenous.
We have people from all parts of the globe in Australia today. Embracing positive aspects from everyone's culture can greatly enrich our lives - if it hasn't already.
At the same time, it has never been more important to be self critical of the cultures we come from. Letting go of the prejudice that our ancestors may have burned in, sometimes over many generations, is a gift that everyone should give to themselves.
Why carry old prejudice? Why be burdened with history?
Why be the victim when we can be the change?
As one of the great American poets, Maya Angelou, famously said: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
Through the process of discernment, we have the opportunity to create a new and more unified human culture : One that reflects the best of all our worlds, remembering that a long, long time ago, we all came from the same place.
And that dear readers, is a central message in 'Space Odyssey' that we hope the next generation can grow up with.
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