The American electoral system is complex and unique. It has rules that differ from those of many other democracies and has a global impact that extends beyond its borders. First, it uses indirect voting, with the Electoral College playing a central role. In this article, we will explore how the system works, from its inception to Election Day.
In addition, we will discuss the influence of the American elections on the world, in economic, diplomatic, environmental and cultural aspects.
How the American electoral system works
The United States electoral process involves several stages. These stages range from the primaries to the Electoral College. Each stage brings characteristics that make the system unique.
The primaries and the caucuses
Before the general election, the United States holds primaries and caucuses. In these elections, the major parties—the Democrats and the Republicans—choose their presidential candidates. Primaries are state elections that select delegates to support candidates. However, caucuses work differently.
In them, voters gather to discuss and choose their candidates. Thus, the American public actively participates in the selection of candidates for the presidency.
The role of the Electoral College
In the United States, the Electoral College is fundamental. Unlike many countries, the president is not chosen solely by popular vote. The Electoral College has 538 electors, distributed proportionally to the population of each state. Therefore, the candidate who wins a state takes all of the Electoral College votes from that state – except in Maine and Nebraska, which split their votes.
Thus, even a candidate who does not win the popular vote can be elected president, which happened in 2000 and 2016. In those elections, George W. Bush and Donald Trump won with the Electoral College, even though they did not receive a majority of the popular vote.
Criticism and support for the system
The Electoral College is the subject of much debate. Proponents argue that it ensures representation from less populous states. It also prevents densely populated regions from deciding the election. However, critics argue that the system does not reflect the will of the majority, allowing a candidate to be elected without winning the popular vote.
This situation raises questions about the representativeness and legitimacy of the system. Therefore, debates about reforming it or replacing it with a direct vote continue to rage.
International impact of the US elections
The US presidential election has global repercussions. After all, the United States is an economic, diplomatic and cultural powerhouse. The president's policies directly affect several countries.
Global economy
The global economy is impacted by U.S. policies. When a new president takes office, changes can occur in trade agreements, tariffs, and investments. For example, the Trump administration’s tax cuts have encouraged multinational companies to bring capital back to the United States, shifting investments elsewhere.
Similarly, tariffs on China have triggered a trade war. This type of policy affects not only the United States but also interconnected economies, especially in exporting countries.
Foreign policy and diplomatic relations
The US stance on foreign policy also changes with the elections. Presidents like Barack Obama have sought multilateralism, prioritizing alliances and cooperation with global partners. During the Obama administration, the United States rejoined agreements like the Paris Agreement and strengthened its relationship with the European Union.
The Trump administration, on the other hand, followed a more isolationist policy, withdrawing the US from several international agreements, which generated tensions. Each new president can redefine alliances and global cooperation, with a strong impact on areas such as international security and geopolitical stability.
Environment and climate agreements
The positions of American presidents on the environment are also closely watched. When Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, it had a global impact, as the country is one of the world's largest carbon emitters. President Biden, on the other hand, has brought new momentum to global climate action by rejoining the agreement.
The United States' stance on sustainability and environmental policies is crucial to advancing climate agreements. As such, other countries depend on the United States' commitment to enabling global initiatives against climate change.
Cultural and technological influence
The United States exerts enormous cultural and technological influence. Its policies on innovation, digital security and immigration impact the flow of talent to strategic areas, such as technology and research. Laws on privacy and digital security, for example, serve as models for other nations.
In this way, each administration’s immigration and innovation policies define how American culture and technology expand. Each legislative change directly influences American competitiveness in cutting-edge sectors, impacting partner countries.
Of course! Here is a more detailed version of the conclusion:
Conclusion
The American electoral system, with its particularities and complexity, goes beyond a mechanism for choosing a president. It reflects a historically consolidated political structure, but it is also susceptible to debate and criticism. The presence of the Electoral College, unlike systems based purely on popular vote, seeks to balance representation between large and small states. Even so, it generates intense discussions about the fairness and representativeness of American democracy.
The influence of the US election extends to several international spheres. In the global economy, the policies adopted by a new president can redefine trade agreements, affect exchange rates and stimulate shifts in global investment. Presidents with more protectionist views, for example, can establish tariffs and trade barriers that affect the flow of goods and services, directly impacting interdependent economies around the world.
Furthermore, U.S. diplomatic relations directly influence global stability. Each administration brings its own perspective on alliances, multilateral agreements, and international cooperation, affecting both close allies and developing nations. In this sense, elections can open doors for new strategic alliances, but also introduce diplomatic challenges in areas of global interest, such as combating climate change and international security.
In the environmental context, American commitment to climate agreements is crucial. A president who prioritizes combating global warming can drive sustainable initiatives and inspire other countries to step up their efforts. Conversely, a less engaged administration could weaken international cooperation on critical environmental issues.
Finally, the US election also impacts the cultural and technological spheres. The export of American cultural values and technological innovations influences global lifestyles, communication and digital security. Policies on immigration and data protection, for example, directly affect the flow of talent and US leadership in innovation.
In short, understanding how the American electoral system works and its influence on the international scene is essential. The decisions made in each electoral cycle not only shape the future of the United States, but also redefine, in many ways, global relations and dynamics, with profound and lasting impacts.
