09/08/2024 - 16:17 PM
By Yazeed Al Rashed Al Khuzai *
The United States of America today stands at a historical juncture where the political landscape has started entering phases hitherto unexplored and extremely complex. While the social and political divide is growing wider, so does it appear that this great nation is at a loss for the compass that would lead it towards a sustainable and secure future? The issue now goes beyond who succeeds Joe Biden to a more profound question of what American leadership is about, and its linkage with the very essence of the nation.
It has gone to such an extent that the so-called American Dream, which once inspired the whole world, is now in danger of being disrupted by a succession of crises assailing the country on all sides. The economic problems, which are continuously escalating, furthered by deep social inequalities and gradual loss of America's authority in the world, create a very critical situation that demands exceptional leadership to put the country back on the right path.
This research purports to go into deep analysis about the prevailing political scenario presently engulfing the United States, coupled with the issues it is facing in the modern day and age. A close look will also be taken at the policies which were in practice during the previous administration and those practiced by the current one, outlining their strong and weak points. This case study will also explore corruption amongst the political elite and the erosion of public confidence in the democratic way of life in America. It represents research that is not to simply understand who the next leader will be, but to advocate for serious deliberation on the building of a new political foundation with a reconstituted vision for America.
We are going to talk about what I call "America's Beating Heart"-the heart of core values and principles any American leadership should possess. By researching local communities and small institutions, we will attempt to explore the real spirit shaping the nation and how this can lead to new leadership emerging as a result of the challenge.
This will, in the end, help in giving an overall view as to how to establish an American leadership that would be capable of surmounting the internal and external challenges for making America a continued leader in the international arena. We will try to find out the "true savior" of the American leadership on critical analysis of the political figure and propose new strategies for building a sustainable future. It has called upon every American activist and decision-maker to take seriously into consideration the future of the country in the way to regain trust in the leadership, institutions, political, economic, and social elites alike.
Analysis of Current Political Scene in America:
The acute political crisis in the United States is, perhaps, one of the deepest in decades. It is not just a reflection of the results of recent elections or the policy of the current government; it is also a product of historical, cultural, and political accumulation that has taken place over decades. Since the election of Joe Biden as President of the United States, tensions and divisions can be visibly perceived as growing more acute; the country seems torn between conflicting visions regarding its future.
Economically, the Biden administration focused much on the recovery of the economy from the COVID-19 pandemic, but these policies were always in debates. Previously, huge economic rescue packages like the "American Rescue Plan" and "Infrastructure Plan" have been launched by the current administration for the revitalization of the American economy and to reduce the after-effects of the pandemic. But results have been inconsistent despite these efforts. Whereas the economy has grown in some sectors, on the other side, the inflation rates have grown enormously and brought about negative impacts on the purchased power of Americans.
Meanwhile, Americans are facing severe social and economic disparities, with a growing gap between rich and poor. This is not only an economic issue; rather, it has become a social and political challenge since all the wealth lies in the hands of the few elites, while the middle and low classes can barely afford survival. This disparity creates frustration and resentment among Americans, hence deepening political polarization. But does anybody care?
Politically, it has seen partisan divides increase whereby national issues that ought to unite all Americans become the very ones that divide them even within family circles. This reflects a deeper problem in the American political system, where partisanship dictates basically everything involved with politics and even social life. Such would be consistently manifested in debates over immigration, healthcare, and voting rights. Each one of them has become a field of constant struggle of different political groups, without any earnest attempts to compromise or reach a consensus.
Besides, international challenges overshadow domestic politics. While America's influence in the world starts to decline, at this point, the country finds itself under strain to continue as a superpower. This is a challenge that requires a change in the leading role, which should recompose international alliances and delineate the role of America in the new world.
Corruption among the Elites and the Ruling Classes:
One of the most dangerous challenges facing America is corruption in the political system. Relationships among politicians and lobbying groups have become increasingly complex, intertwining money and influence with political decision-making. This reality has helped to destroy trust in political institutions and further weaken democracy. Therefore, a large number of Americans believe the current political system works for the elite at the general public's expense.
With such an atmosphere, the United States demands a radical reassessment of political approach. Let this discussion I propose transcend the issue of who should become the next leader but how to forge a political system responsive to the popular will in the interest of all citizens in the pursuit of both justice and equality. Corruption among the American political elites is not just an isolated phenomenon; rather, part of a deep-rooted political and social system replete with bureaucratic complexities and financial allegiances that impede genuine reform. Over these decades, these elites have grown and thickened further in relation to money and power, and thus, change may hardly be realized.
Among one of the most significant factors in the realm of political corruption in the United States is campaign financing. Campaigns in America need a lot of money these days, which implies that politicians have a very great incentive to make sure they do not displease their financiers at the expense of the public will. Strong Interest Groups like lobbyists will, therefore, enjoy the clout to actually shape policies and legislation to the direction of servicing their interests, which is obviously a denial of the principle of equality that should underline the democratic system as stated within the American Constitution.
Other instances of corruption are in the handling of major crises. For example, some highly influential figures in government had been accused of directing government contracts to companies in which they themselves held an affiliation or interest, thereby raising questions about the integrity of the administrative process employed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As has already been said, this form of corruption undermines faith in government institutions and further entrenches the notion that the system works for the few at the expense of many.
Corruption in the case of American elites cannot be solely framed as an individual issue; it has something to do with political system structure. Complex intertwinements between politicians, administrators, and lobbyists impede any attempt at questioning the real status quo. Corruption in this case does not involve just the exercise of power in building one's personal interests but the very design of the system, which guarantees that nobody can do anything quite differently from the existing ones.
This structural corruption further polarizes social and political cleavages within a country. In cases where the people within a country start to believe that their interests are not represented by the current political regime and popular voice means little for critical choices, frustration starts to mount. These conditions create a very fertile environment for populist movements to arise and capitalize on such accumulated frustrations by promising radical reforms. However, they usually fail in delivering promises due to complications from the prevalent system.
In this part, what clearly follows is that any effective attention to corruption within the American political elites calls absolutely for radical reforms of the political system itself. The reforms should center on reduction of the money factor in politics, enhanced transparency, accountability of government, and rebuilding of trust in democratic institutions. Absent such reforms, corruption will continue to be one of the major stumbling blocks for the rise of new leadership capable of confronting the various challenges facing America today.
In Search of "America's Beating Heart":
It really looks like, within the current political and social crisis that the United States is going through, the traditional leadership lost the ability to feel "America's Beating Heart." This term I coined does not include just a notion of national sentiments or the American Dream but stands for core values on which the American nation is built and which shape its true identity.
It is traditional leadership that focuses on grand policies and international competitions, even while real local communities are the basic component of a country-from small rural towns up to diverse neighborhoods within a metropolis-which means the true representation of America's diversity and strength: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
They come from communities facing particular challenges. For example, in small industrial towns where the major industries have declined, there is mass unemployment and a lack of economic opportunities. So, in response to such challenges, the spirit of persistence and improvement thrives in the communities. These events have played a dynamic role in bringing necessary changes and innovations within community economies through support for small business and innovative educational programs.
A very real example of this is the cities that formed centers of industry, such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that once was a center of the steel industry. When that industry completely collapsed in the 1980s, it did not collapse. The city rebuilt by morphing into an economy based on technology and innovation. This kind of transformation would not have been possible without strong local leadership that can see opportunities amid challenges.
It is "America's Beating Heart," where real solutions to national challenges are found. This leadership is less famous, rarely in the headlines, but hardworking to create real change in their communities. They find innovative ways of supporting small local institutions, develop creative educational programs, and job opportunities for the youth in building a better and more sustainable future.
What these communities teach us is that real leadership has nothing to do with fame or political power but everything to do with connecting with people, understanding their needs, and providing solutions that make a tangible difference in their lives. In my opinion, I firmly believe that for America to reclaim its beating heart, national leadership has to come forth with a clear-cut vision that identifies and inspires the values and spirit exhibited by these communities.
The True Savior of American Leadership:
In the face of present difficulties besetting America, it would appear that this country needs a very unconventional type of leader who truly embodies what has been called the "true savior" of American leadership. But what kind of qualities and characteristics must that leader possess? And how will he or she be able to revive America at a time when there is increased internal division and conflict?
First and foremost, the leader should reconcile the country at a time when sharp divisions are tearing it asunder. Uniting is not only about delivering powerful speeches; more important is his connectivity with the different strata of American society for their needs and aspirations. Only a leader so disposed can mobilize people to a common vision of the future beyond the fissures of partisan and sectarian division.
For example, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led America through the Great Depression and into World War II, would be thought of as typical of a president who was able to bring the country together in times of hardship. Through his policies packaged as the "New Deal," Roosevelt was able to give a broad vision toward recovery and social justice that helped bind Americans together in the pursuit of a common goal.
Secondly, huge political courage is one attribute that is needed by an actual savior of American leadership. Courage in this sphere can be said to involve not only the nostrum of hard decisions but also involves facing the traditional forces and a corrupt elite impeding genuine change. It is for this reason that the courageous leader would prove capable of standing up against financial and political interests resisting change and proposing bold visions for the reform of the system.
An example is President Theodore Roosevelt, famous for his policies that targeted corruption and put big corporations in order. He was a courageous president who did not flinch from taking on the economic and political elite in America. Roosevelt would make great reforms in labor regulation and consumer protection. He had been quite an unpopular leader due to his unconventional way of leadership.
Thirdly, the true savior must have a genuine and comprehensive reformist vision. The vision shall be guided by deep analysis of root problems facing America, with solutions that aim at addressing the very roots of such problems rather than trying to treat symptoms. This reformist vision shall cut across in all aspects of American life, ranging from the economy, education, social justice, to health.
For instance, let us consider the case of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his "Great Society" program aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting social justice. Though all the odds were against him, yet his program dinted American life in ways most profound: extending voting rights, extending healthcare, improving educational facilities.
Clearly, finding the true savior of American leadership requires finding one among them who could become the beacon of these three things: unification ability, political courage, and reformist vision. If such a leader is found, the United States can restore its beating heart and get back on its path in the global arena as a leading nation.
Rebuilding Political Institutions: The Congress as a Model:
Nowadays, the U.S. Congress-which is among the oldest democratic institutions anywhere in the world-faces serious challenges to its role as the cradle of American democracy. While some of these challenges are not new, they have surely increased in complexity over time, a process that has required an entirely radical rebuilding of this institution in order for it to meet the aspirations of the American people and respond to modern challenges.
Firstly, one needs to notice that for many of the last decades, the U.S. Congress has gained the renown of political deadlock and obstruction. Such obstruction is seen in an inability to pass necessary legislation on basic issues such as health care, immigration, and economic policy. Very often, narrow partisan legislation on all these may be passed with only a view toward serving the interests of special lobbyists and campaign donors and thus works against real progress which would serve the country's interest as a whole.
A living example is the defeat of Congress to legislate laws concerning gun control amidst the spiraling number of mass shootings in the country. While there is wide public appeal for stricter laws on guns, the Congress has been incapacitated to develop consensus over the issue at hand because of the forces exerted by the groups lobbying on behalf of the firearms industry. It is a manifestation of deep trust in crisis within the political system, wherein citizens feel their voice is not factored into key political decisions.
Secondly, partisan polarization is considered one of the most significant factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of Congress, particularly in economic policymaking. Over the last couple of decades, partisan divisions have become more pronounced, leading to sharper political disagreements that hinder any attempt at compromise. This polarization reflects a growing disconnect between politicians and the public, where political efforts are often geared toward achieving narrow, partisan gains rather than focusing on the nation's overall economic interest.
New, balanced figures need to be injected for Congress's reconstruction, capable of overcoming partisan divisions for the public good. Such figures can propose a proper vision for reforms in spheres like the economy, social justice, and foreign policy. Transparency and accountability need to be enhanced in Congress to make decisions representative of the voice of Americans and not of certain party or lobbying groups.
Besides, it is important to consider the experience of other countries' renovation of their political institutions. The countries of Germany and South Africa are examples of states which had to rebuild their political institutions in the aftermath of big crisis periods. In Germany, the political resurgence was ensured after reunification in the 1990s through integrating political cadres coming from East and West Germany in a new system aiming at consolidation of national unity and economic development. A new political system was developed in South Africa after apartheid with an emphasis on social justice and national reconciliation.
Here it should be noted that the rebuilding of political institutions requires a long-term vision set to achieve consensus and strengthen transparency and accountability. The U.S. Congress will have to go through radical reforms if it ever has to regain its role as the cradle of American democracy and be capable of being confronted with major challenges facing the country in the 21st century.
The Consequences of Weak Leadership on America's Standing Abroad:
Weak leadership within the United States affects not only the internal situation within the country but also seriously impacts America's position on the international stage. The United States had always been that superpower, shaping the international order through the strength of its military, economic, and diplomatic influence. In recent years, however, such strength has gradually been eroded through internal leadership weaknesses and challenges on the increasing global stage.
The first thing to comprehend is that, over a long period of time, the United States has been the main driver of the global system. Because of its leading role in World War II and the launching of the Marshall Plan in an effort to restore Europe, the United States obtained a position as a superpower that commanded influence across many spheres. However, that power has been slowly coming undone amidst altered international circumstances and a raft of internal economic and political problems.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal from significant international agreements has added to the growing negative spiral in America's standing. For example, the U.S. retreat from the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal signified retreat from international commitments that were a plus factor in enhancing global peace and stability. The retreat has not gone down well with the U.S. allies and has thus caused deterioration in relations between the United States and its allies, adverse in relation to America maintaining its leader role in international alliances.
Moreover, poor leadership directly impacts the role of the United States with respect to influencing global issues. Obvious challenges related to climate change, terrorism, and pandemics are on the rise, yet American leadership seems incapable even of formulating a clear vision, let alone an effective one, to respond to such challenges. This inability makes it hard for the United States to maintain the role of a leader on the global arena and opens the door to other powers-the-China and Russia-to emerge as influential forces on the international arena. Who gets it?
The economic repercussions of weak leadership are also very far-reaching in the world. The American economy, which pulled the locomotive of the global economic system for decades, has started to lose its glitter because of indiscriminate economic policies and the increasingly high national debt ceiling. This situation makes it tough for the United States to hold its status as a world economic leader and allows other powers to become major players on the international arena.
Internal strong and effective leadership is not only a key to America's stability internally, but also serves to strengthen its position in the international arena. In fact, if the United States has to wrest back its rightful place as a leading global power, it must rebuild its internal leadership so as to adapt to new challenges and consequently redefine America's place in the international order. This has to be underpinned by a long-term vision that will look toward the stabilization and prosperity not only of America but also of the world. In your opinion, who can achieve all this-Harris or Donald Trump?
Illustrative Image Designed by Yazeed Al Khuzai
The Future Vision for a New America:
The future vision for America has to be comprehensive and multi-dimensional, embracing all the aspects of American life, from economy and politics to social justice and education. It needs to stand on sound and well-rounded bases that target prosperity and justice for all strata of American citizens, regardless of their heritage or social status.
Firstly, any future vision must necessarily have to balance the achievement of social and economic justice together. Even though it is one of the world's richest nations, poverty and other social inequalities are still some of the major challenges facing the United States today. To this end, the future vision should work out policies aimed at narrowing the gap between rich and poor through provision of job opportunities for all and the strengthening of a middle class, which forms the backbone of any sustainable economy.
Secondly, it has to be underpinned by huge investment in education and innovation. Education is a core foundation from which any advanced society is based, and quality education is a right for all. The United States will manage to regain its lead in technology and scientific advancement by strengthening the educative system together with scientific research. These investments in the national economy will not only raise the living standard in America but also make it more competitive on the international level.
Thirdly, the future vision must include strengthening national infrastructures from their deterioration. The infrastructure including roads, bridges, and energy networks forms the backbone of any strong economy. Large investments must be devoted to its improvement and modernization if not for ensuring economic growth then at least for environmental sustainability. Policy adoption for clean energy and dependence on renewable sources of energy must form the foundation of such a vision.
Fourthly, the future vision should include adding to America's international role to a global policeman that is striving for stability and peace in the world. The United States will play an active role on the world stage and is duty-bound to further strengthen its international relationships in order to work out major global problems such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics. It requires strong, effective leadership to give a clear vision for the future and that works towards achieving it.
Let me emphasize here that, in America, I have friends from all across the political spectrum, including members of the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as independent friends who do not identify with any political party or ideology. I can proudly say that I am very neutral, taking great care to maintain equal distance from all sides. I am doing this analysis or opening up a discussion on this specific issue as it were, to shine a light on the perpetual political wound in America. Discussions and debates on the subject had been a healthy phenomenon that engendered further analyses and divergent views for and against. It is a first step in the right direction. Within this context, I would go further to ask the following question to all U.S. political elites: Does America today need a new image of leadership, emerging from the core of national spirit, able to rise above current divisions with the aim of uniting people by the common vision of restoration that would bring back America's soul, strength, and pride?
Will Kamala Harris keep the torch of progressivism aflame, armed with a vision for social justice and national cohesion? Or will Donald Trump return to restore America's standing on the world stage with his loud voice and the slogan "America First"?
Where is this long-awaited leader, this savior? Or is it going to be a woman savior? It is not about who comes into power; it is finally about who can restart the halted heartbeat of America!
* Political Analyst and Poet
Email: vipyazeed@gmail.com
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