On Tuesday 5th November 2024, the United States of America is hosting Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections. The results of these elections will have widespread effects on all continents as it is a major economic and military superpower, as well as it having direct influence in major conflicts across the world.
Current affairs:
Despite America being the largest economy in the world, at a staggering $27.36 trillion, it also has main problems both in the country and issues abroad. Issues such as Immigration, the health care system, crime, the environment, a ‘United’ America, and protecting American workers, to name a few. External issues include making sure that American influence is far and widespread, and has an effect, ensuring strong diplomatic ties and geopolitical dominance, and others which will be mentioned in the wider context section.
Main candidates:
The main political parties in America are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Both were found in the 1800s and grew ever since. The Democratic Party usually adopts more progressive, left-leaning policies. It supports social and economic equality, favouring greater government intervention in the economy but opposing government involvement in the private noneconomic affairs of citizens. Whereas the Republican Party, ultimately stood for slavery’s complete abolition. Today, Republicans advocate reduced taxes as a means of stimulating the economy and advancing individual economic freedom, and they generally support conservative social policies. Republicans also tend to oppose extensive government regulation of the economy and show support for a strong national defense and interest in National Security.
The main candidates are as follows;
- Kamala Harris – Democratic Party. She is the current Vice President of the USA. She used to be District Attorney of San Francisco between 2004 and 2011 and was also Attorney General of California between 2011 and 2017. Her parents are of Jamaican and Indian origin.
- Donald Trump – Republican Party. He was a former President of the USA and a wealthy businessman. Throughout his time in office, Trump faced controversies, including two impeachments—the first related to his dealings with Ukraine and the second following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Despite leaving office, Trump has maintained a strong influence over the Republican Party and announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, aiming to become only the second U.S. president in history to serve non-consecutive terms.
Election Polls:
As of November 1st, the current election polls stand at Harris at 48% and Trump at 46.8%. The gap between the two has become closer and closer over the past months, and with election day just a couple of days away, it will be a very close race indeed.
Wider context:
So, both candidates want to tackle Immigration, but what actually seems to be the problem? It is mainly illegal immigration and the actual size of it. In December 2023, border patrol agents recorded around 302,000 people crossing the border. That’s more than 10,000 a day! The monthly average between 2013 and 2019 was 39,000 people. Most of these people are from Latin America and Mexico, and these people are causing increase in demand for various services, straining services already under pressure from lack of funding, etc. Trump plans to ‘update’ border policies and has plans for massive domestic deportation within the US. People with no concrete evidence as to why they are in the US will most likely be deported. He also plans to build the wall along the US Southern border, but whether these plans go ahead is another topic. Harris on the other hand is taking a more indirect approach. Her policies include a new standard for asylum eligibility and increased funding for asylum officers, border patrol, and lawyers, but whether that will help America’s street safe is a complex question, and highlights both candidates’ stances on the hot topic of immigration.
On Conflicts
Trump has said many times that, ‘We will end the war in the Middle East.’ But then he also states that he will deport any protestors who are ‘pro-Hamas’. His stance is blurry for some but one thing that is known is that his diplomatic ties in the Middle East are strong and is more likely to end the conflict if he becomes President, by stopping military aid being sent to region as he has addressed many times to stop the war in Gaza. With Harris, she said along the lines that the death of Yahya Sinwar is chance to finally end the Gaza war. But again, with Trump, it’s a two-way stance. There’s a chance to end it but it hasn’t ended yet. That has given Harris 3 months to sort out ceasefire agreements or at least something towards that, but nothing so far. Essentially these candidates are very wishy washy on their stances on Palestine. In regard to Russia-Ukraine Trump has urged he would be able to find a solution while Harris and the democrats have reaffirmed financial support for Kyiv.
Quite a few Americans feel that their current leader is not enough, but 48% still want her to ‘run’ things. These elections are close, we will see who will become President, and actually maybe if they are able to act on even a quarter of promises they made.