US Election Special: Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
What does the upcoming election mean for Europe? What is it like to vote from abroad in blue states where elections are uncontested and the presidential outcome predetermined? Why is the Harris campaign not talking enough about abortion rights?
As the American election draws near, disillusionment with the political landscape feels more palpable than ever. For many, the two major candidates offer little inspiration. The race between Harris and Trump is marked not by optimism but by resignation, with both sides largely representing the status quo rather than real change. This lack of enthusiasm highlights a growing sentiment: the American political system, by its very design, may be structurally resistant to meaningful reform.
Harris’s campaign strategy seems focused on appealing to center-right voters—those who may harbor anti-immigrant sentiments but still hesitate to vote for Trump. Yet, it seems baffling that her platform doesn’t center on a popular issue like abortion rights, which hasn’t taken a prominent role in her campaign. Of course, like Biden, she may be expected, if elected, to avoid meaningful action on abortion rights—but she could at least acknowledge the issue to rally support, couldn’t she?
The notion of voting as a defensive action—supporting one candidate simply to avoid the other—has fostered an atmosphere of reluctant participation rather than genuine support for the Democratic Party. But for party leadership, this indifference may be acceptable; after all, abortion remains legal in Massachusetts.
Across the Atlantic, however, there seems to be a glimmer of hope. European politics offer a model where progressive change appears more feasible, though still challenging. Citizens there tend to be more engaged and aware of how policy decisions directly affect their lives. While Europe is not without its struggles, its political culture encourages a sense of agency that feels rare in the United States.
As for the election’s outcome, predictions lean toward a divided government, with Republicans likely taking control of the House and the Senate remaining closely contested. Regardless of who wins the presidency, the widespread belief is that the American political system will remain plauged by dysfunction.
