Disturbing signals

The oldest democracy of the world goes to the polls. The outcome of the United States elections would not only define the destiny of the most powerful nation on the earth, but it would in fact determine the course of the world events for years to come. American democracy is often the source of inspiration for those who believe in libertarian values like freedom, liberty and openness.

This term of elections is significant at least for the fact that the great nation awaits the possibility of a woman President. The election of Obama signifies the glory of American society that is often described as not just the land of innovations but an abode of opportunities. An Afro-American holding the highest office in a country which saw and continues to experience bloody racial hatred.

The nation has seen unprecedented ethnic, religious and even gender stereotypes and biases during the electoral discourse. The wounds of great American divide resurface with vengeance. Shunning any iota of maturity, the presidential race witnessed some of the worst moments of public discourse leaving the lovers of democracy perplexed and even at times bewildered.

Notwithstanding the unpredictability of outcome, certain things are sure to happen. The fact remains that for the first time America would be having a President who is disliked by a significant number of Americans. The deep scars of poll-eve wounds will take years and decades to heal. If Donald Trump is the victor and pursues his election rhetoric in right earnest, the United States is more likely to witness ethnic, religious chauvinism and ultra nationalist jingoism. Its ramifications would be disastrous not just for the country but would be perilous to the entire world.

Republicans are always known for their conservative politics. But, this time abandoning its time tested intellectual traditions and anti-slavery ideological moorings, the party bowed down for an eccentric and unsavoury Donald Trump much to the chagrin of even Republican followers. It's certainly unpalatable to see the Republican Party which was once led by people like Abraham Lincoln is now represented by histrionic Trump.

While uncivilised utterances of the American presidential prospect in Trump are deeply regrettable, the opponent Hillary too is not without serious questions on her candidature. She suffers from allegations of cronyism and serious breach of sensitive confidentiality that are unbecoming of a US presidential aspirant. Hillary backed by military industrial complexes and financial oligarchy will be difficult to be trusted. This is precisely why the electoral race is so disgusting to the admirers of American democracy too.

Meanwhile, American electoral practice is beset with serious flaws when compared with the much discredited Indian electoral system. The archaic electoral college system repudiates even the popular vote. If Trump wins, it's a mandate for hate mongering and fear psychosis he unabashedly purveyed in the run up to the elections.

If Hillary leads, it perhaps will be more to do with anti-Trump upsurge and to an extent result of the obsolete electoral college system. Even if Trump looses, the shallow ideas thrown up by Trump inspired debate would continue to plague American society. In any case the verdict 2016 will thus rob the shine from the democratic exercise of people's will.