This month’s presidential election in the United States highlighted the frightening and universal mystery of how to govern in the presence of deep differences of opinion in society.
This management challenge stems from sharp divisions in society, although the historical terms are not new, but remain real and entrenched.
The elected mandate that President Joe Biden received after the largest election in 120 years in the United States should be seen by him as a mandate to govern through cooperation with various constituencies, and as a way to address fundamental injustices address through a transforming agenda.
It is a strong endorsement to rule by consensus rather than by centralized, authoritarian practices. This would be in stark contrast to the autocratic approach of his predecessor who could not resolve the grievances but rather exploited them through populist rhetoric.
Amid substantive criticism of fragility in the US system of government, GGA would argue that this election result and the strength of government institutions lead us to a reverse argument: that the United States’ democratic parameters are indeed robust, and that its elections The system is characterized by strong institutions and processes that act as a control and balance between the populist and autocratic administrations.
The country’s founders built this protection into the constitution to protect the American people from autocracy and tyranny.
The most important takeaway for Africa is that true consensus is formed by the government with the interest of addressing legitimate grievances, leading to greater peace and prosperity among the people and those who would rule.
Chris Maroleng Executive Director GGA SADC Africa