Election 2020: Global Democracy is at Stake
By Emma Christman
Rarely have two presidential candidates in American history embodied more irreconcilable visions for the United States than Republican incumbent Donald J. Trump and his Democratic challenger Joseph R. Biden Jr. Between these competing futures lies an unavoidable truth; the next President will be tasked with the enormous undertaking of restoring America’s international standing and repairing American democracy before it is too late.
Trump’s foreign policy platform of America First has been characterized primarily by a departure from the norms of American international affairs. By rejecting relationships with American allies and dismissing the value of international institutions, the President has proven himself partial to personal dealings with heads of state. Biden, a staunch traditionalist, is a firm believer in the multilateral approach that has characterized American foreign policy since World War II. A Biden administration would likely seek to return American international affairs to the Obama-era status quo with the US at the helm.
Despite the turmoil of the 2020 election season and the coronavirus pandemic, the dynamics of the campaign have remained unusually steady. As the race progresses, Biden’s lead over Trump continues to widen. An October 9th poll from the Pew Research Center found that 52% of registered voters plan to vote for Biden compared with 42% who plan to vote for Trump. Although polling data is imperfect, a Biden administration come January seems likely.
The next administration will inherit a complex set of international circumstances. A global pandemic, an economic recession and a climate crisis will all require international attention. Any foreign policy initiatives must consider the emerging dynamics of the great power competition that will likely characterize the future of the US-China relationship. But as dire as these issues are, the Trump administration’s alienation of American allies has left the US without the tools to address them.
If elected, the Biden administration must work to reestablish a strong, international coalition of democracies to confront the problems of the era. Success will ultimately hinge on Biden’s ability to restore the vitality and credibility of American democracy at home.
The first key objective will be repairing the relationships with allies that have been damaged since 2017. The Trump administration has intentionally neglected American relationships with Canada, France, Germany and other countries with shared democratic values. A Biden administration must support a substantial revitalization of the State Department to concentrate resources and personnel with the goal of mending American alliances. These efforts will undoubtedly be slow and painstaking. But without these close partnerships, the US will remain weak in the face of international challenges.
The next administration must also renew the American commitment to international organizations that facilitate collective security and multilateral cooperation. Since 2017, the Trump administration has sought to dramatically reduce American involvement in the United Nations and associated organizations. A Biden administration must rejoin the UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO and the World Health Organization, and revive American leadership in these bodies. It will also be essential to reinstate international frameworks including the Paris Climate Accords. Some international agreements will likely be unsalvageable, such as President Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal.
Ultimately, American leadership abroad can only be credible when American democracy at home is intact. Democratic principles have always been central tenets of American foreign policy — support for free and fair elections, preservation of human rights and protection against corruption. But with the systematic erosion of American democracy that has occurred over the last four years, what high ground do we have left to stand on?
President Trump’s attacks on the news media, his unfounded claims of voter fraud and his refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power represent an existential threat to American democracy. Equally alarming is his soft spot for authoritarian strongmen such as Vladimir Putin of Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey. Trump’s anti-democratic rhetoric can be viewed as part of a larger global trend towards authoritarian governance. A 2020 report from Freedom House found a decline in democracy worldwide for the 14th consecutive year. If reelected, all signs suggest that the President will be further emboldened in his assault on the institutions of democracy at home and abroad.
Not only will a Biden administration be tasked with repairing American alliances and international standing, it must also take steps to fortify American democratic institutions for future longevity. This will include strengthening protections against election interference, protecting media freedoms, preventing human rights abuses and investing in civic education. Luckily, the Biden campaign seems to understand the enormous undertaking ahead. Biden’s foreign policy proposal includes specific measures to reinvigorate American democracy at home and reinstate moral leadership abroad.
A Biden win come November would only be a temporary victory for democracy; it is almost certain that 2024 will present fresh anti-democratic challenges. Nevertheless, Americans must understand that this election is more than an ugly partisan contest. The Biden campaign is correct to call it a “battle for the soul of the nation” — the future of democracy is on the ballot.
Emma Christman is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University. She is studying International Relations with a concentration in international security, with other interests in journalism and French. She serves as a Managing Editor at Hemispheres: Tufts University Journal of International Affairs as well as on the executive board of Tufts Women in International Relations.
Trump&Biden is by Emma Kaden and is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
