2024 Elections: A Pivotal Year for Global Politics
In the political calendar, 2024 stands as a pivotal year, with elections scheduled in several global powerhouses, including India, the United States, Indonesia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Britain. Nearly two billion voters will seize the opportunity to shape their futures. However, the apprehension looms if this political agency will be potent enough to tackle global challenges.
US Elections: The Power Struggle and Concerns
In the U.S., the political landscape, steeped in polarization and the potential for a constitutional crisis with Donald Trump’s candidacy, stirs doubts about the nation’s capability to make critical decisions and embrace election results. The present administration under Joe Biden, while channeling its focus on the economy, green transition, and industrial policy, grapples with dwindling support due to unresolved issues in healthcare and inequality, and foreign policy challenges. A Trump presidency could further degrade institutional quality and deepen the imprints of authoritarianism and xenophobia.
India: Continuity and Challenges
India, under the likely return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is bracing for continuity, but also the possible reinforcement of communalism and authoritarianism under the BJP’s reign. Despite the projection of growth, structural economic issues continue to linger, and opposition parties strive yet fail to present a viable alternative.
Global Political Implications
Other regions like Indonesia are gearing up for their first post-Joko election, while South Africa faces a critical election amidst an economic crisis. Taiwan’s election outcome could maneuver China’s geopolitical strategy. Nationalism, emerging as a dominant force in global politics, often eclipses pressing issues that transcend national borders. The surge in nationalism, historical grievances, and ethnic tensions, along with an increased risk of conflict, including Russia’s actions in Ukraine and tensions between China and the U.S., emphasize the challenges on the horizon. The elections in 2024 could trigger significant transformations and, in some cases, the fate of democracy itself could hang in the balance.
