Dal students share opinions on the U.S. election and democracy's global fate
The Stanfield Conversation | November 20
Join the conversation on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 at 7 p.m., in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Dalhousie Arts Centre in Halifax. Register for in-person seating or to receive livestream access details here.
This year's featured speakers include:
- Dr. Debra Thompson, Canada Research Chair in Racial Inequality in Democratic Societies and Associate Professor of Political Science at McGill University
- Doug Saunders, The Globe and Mail international affairs columnist.
- Guest moderator will be Piya Chattopadhyay, host of CBC's The Sunday Magazine.
In advance of the event, CBC asked current Dalhousie University students to answer questions on the topic:
A. "This election has come at a really precarious time. This administration is going to inherit a very complex and challenging geopolitical environment. It's going to be very challenging for this administration to address those challenges in a way that still holds democracy at its center.
"I think this is a time where America is increasingly dealing with, and Western democracies are increasingly facing, global and geopolitical issues in other parts of the world. I think one of the challenges that Western democracies have right now is to accept that, come to terms with it and still maintain their position in this global climate."
Q:Do you expect the outcome in the U.S. election to influence future Canadian elections?
A: "Yes, I think the outcome of the U.S. election will definitely affect how Canadians think about themselves, think about what kind of leadership they want to navigate and the challenges that the Trump administration will bring. I think because of our proximity to the U.S. not only in terms of distance, but the ideology and all of our bilateral agreements will affect how Canadians want their leadership to be dealing with some of the new challenges that will be coming up.
"I think some of the energy from the U.S. election will wear off on the Canadian public as well, and very soon they will be asking themselves the same questions like who they want representing them and what kind of place they want to see Canada take in the world."
A: "I think it's going to be important for the House of Representatives, the Senate and the President to try and bring people closer and back to the centre, and to stop dividing on key issues, such as abortion, reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights."
Q: Looking beyond the U.S., are there other democracies that you're worried about now? If so, why?
A: "One of the democracies I am definitely worried about is the Canadian democracy and how much we are becoming polarized. Seeing the past few days (after the results of the U.S. election), and seeing what has gone on on social media, I definitely think Europe is in trouble as well, they are so connected to the United States and the Western world is definitely in trouble. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the coming weeks, months and years, especially with NATO."
A: "I think it's always a challenge with the U.S. regardless of who is president, because of our proximity. It's something no other country has, we are right next door. So no matter what they do we are going to feel it. But I think right now as a country we are ready to handle whatever president is in office and that includes Trump. I think there is a bit of unpredictability that comes with the Trump administration.
"At the end of the day, they are our neighbour and for almost all of our history they have been our best friend diplomatically. There will be challenges. But I think that is true with every president. This one might be, you know, particularly challenging with what he said he wants to do, for example tariffs. But I think it's a working relationship that will continue to thrive."
A: "I think it will be a challenge because you've seen in the United States a major political party pushing narratives of doubting democracy, of questioning the institutions, and I think that will be a challenge, but I am still optimistic about it. I think there is still a very strong democratic sense in the United States, a penchant for their republic and their democracy. And I think that exists globally as well in the rest of the democratic world. So I am going to remain optimistic."
A: "There are definitely other democracies that I am worried about. We see this as a global phenomenon, the rise of right-wing populism. We see this with (Giorgia) Meloni in Italy, we see Viktor Orbán in Hungary. I think that increasingly polarizing algorithms are a big contributing factor that can skew people's idea of democracy and continue to create a polarizing atmosphere politically."
Q: What challenges and opportunities for democracy do you foresee emerging from the U.S. election outcome?
A: "I see a lot of challenges in terms of reproductive health for women. In terms of the environment, I see Trump is likely to pull out of the Paris Agreement again. And this time he can do even more damage, as he'll be able to pull out earlier.
"In terms of positives, I think that this really could be a moment for groups to come together and realize this is a big turning point. We need to take back democracy and take back the United States and take back Canada and come together and fight these problems, like reproductive health and the environment instead of focusing on tariffs."
A: "With Trump reentering office, I would like to be optimistic about the future of democracy again. I think this is an opportunity for the American people to come together and overcome years and years of polarization. I think Donald Trump in office for a second term is going to be a bit of a shock for the U.S. people, with what policies and decisions he is going to implement.
"I also think this could be a really great opportunity for the American people to come together to overcome that sort of polarization, but I fear if this doesn't happen, this polarization and this divide will become even greater."
Q: Do you expect the outcome in the U.S. election to influence future Canadian elections?
A: "Yes,, because it's a pattern we've seen in the past, where the runoff of the political decisions and the political shifts that are happening in the United States tend to influence Canada and the shifts that happen in Canadian politics."