2024 has been defined as the “most electoral” year ever. In fact, 76 countries all around the globe have seen or will soon see elections. Among these, some are crucial nations from a geopolitical point of view: Taiwan, the United States, India, Belarus, Iran, Russia and the European Union, just to mention some. In the common sense, elections have always been seen as the essence of democracy and thinking about them brings to light images of joyful crowds queuing in front of the polling stations full of hope and ready to shape the future with their own hands.
Unfortunately, a more in-depth and realistic analysis of this political phenomenon immediately reveals a far less idyllic scenario. In many authoritarian regimes this year’s elections will simply represent yet another disillusion for all those citizens aspiring to a free and democratic future. For example, consider the “elections” scheduled for this March in Russia; Putin openly stated that his goal is to be confirmed by 90% of the voters, there is little doubt that the result will be different. In these cases, elections are simply a functional tool for the perpetuation of a regime and more than talking about their imperfections one should talk about their inconsistencies.
Perhaps more interesting is instead to reflect on the imperfections of elections in democratic settings. Let’s consider for instance the United States. On November 5th more than 160 million Americans will be called to choose their 60th President, who will remain in office in the White House for four years, starting from January 2025.
In this electoral race, already started with the opening of the primaries inside the Parties, Donald Trump’s return represents the main news, especially given the different legal challenges that the former President faces in courts all around the country. Above all, Trump’s main roadblock is the Colorado Supreme Court ruling which stopped him from running in the State due to his role in the attack on the Capitol in January 2021.
This thorny case is now in the hands of the US Supreme Court and a verdict is expected soon. There is no doubt that whatever the final decision will be there is going to be a strong outcry. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of Trump, which is the most probable result according to most of the commentators, many will argue that this is an ideologically based decision driven by the conservative composition of the Court and that allowing Trump to run in the elections despite his clear role in the Attack on the Capitol represents a threat to democracy. On the other hand, in the unlikely case in which the Court will rule in favor of the exclusion of Trump from the electoral race in Colorado, his supporters will insurge and accuse the court of interfering in the democratic process of the country.
Looking at this complex case, even if we leave aside the contingent elements linked to the specific setting, fundamental questions arise on the relationship between democracy, rule of law and election: should a court be able to prevent a candidate to run in the elections if this same candidate is seen as a threat to the democratic life of the country? Or should a “pure” concept of democracy prevail over any legal and ethical consideration, therefore giving to the people the freedom to decide to vote for whom they like without any limits?
This is just an example of how any election, even in democratic settings, hides a series of philosophical, legal and political issues that a society must consider. Therefore, while 2024 might well be the “most electoral” year ever, this does not mean one should naively embrace this news with blind optimism, on the contrary we should exploit this year’s focus on the theme to seriously reflect on what elections means for us, where they can be considered part of a democratic process and where not and, above all, we have to reflect on the fact that as any human construct elections are imperfect and it is up to us to keep working on their development.
My name is Pierfrancesco Urbano, I am currently studying International Politics and Government in Bocconi. I grew up in Bologna, but now I live in Milan. I’m interested in international relations and politics, but I’m also passionate about art, theatre, and humanities. I see journalism as a way for me to be actively engaged in the society and in its political and cultural dimensions.
