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What’s at Stake: The Leadership We Need and the Global Impact of the US Election


Image by Marja Mäkelä from Pixabay

What makes a good leader in 2024? What are the key leadership qualities politicians must have? These are broader questions we must ask ourselves as we seek to elect leaders who focus on both national welfare and international integrity.


But more pressingly, we must apply these questions to upcoming elections that directly impact all of us. A Canadian election might come sooner rather than later, after Jagmeet Singh withdrew his support for the premier. And, of course, there is the US election to consider.


Why do we need to care about this? How does US politics affect the rest of the world? In fact, the US has an immense impact on global politics, worldwide stability and climate issues.


In this article, we're going to be looking at what we should expect from the most powerful leaders in the world, and which qualities all great leaders need to have. We'll also examine why the US election is so relevant globally, including some crucial policies around America's security, environmental concerns, and human rights in 2024 and beyond.


Table of Contents:


Why Should We Care About Other People's Politics?


Why does US politics matter? Why should we care about the US election at all even if it is not taking place within our borders?


Because the US election has a profound impact on global politics, as well as on the economy and climate. The United States is still a superpower, and is still highly influential on the world stage — changes in the US political system directly impact societies around the world.


The "trade war" with China, for example, was highly publicized and caused significant economic harm to both countries. However, other economic policies have directly affected businesses and citizens in other countries — such as the damaging tariff rate quotas (TRQs) imposed on Japan, Canada, and the UK.


There is also a ripple effect from policy decisions. Consider the places the United States has invaded over the years, or the locations around the Middle East where troops are based. And then there is Haiti, Sudan, and Congo — countries with humanitarian crises directly influenced by US foreign policy.


What Qualities Should We Look For in a Leader?


We expect leaders to look after their own people, but global responsibility is also vital. A leader may decide to prioritize their own citizens, but this should not come at the expense of other citizens around the world.


Unfortunately, leaders often fall short on both counts. They may fail to offer a meaningful response following hurricane and flooding disasters in the US, for example, while billions are diverted to fund killing and genocide in Gaza.


A modern leader should have integrity, empathy, and the ability to collaborate internationally. They should be able to stand up for human rights, both at home and abroad, and they should listen to and respect the United Nations and the broader international community of which they are a part.


But what does this look like in practice? What are the inherent qualities of effective leadership


  1. Emotional intelligence (EI) – A leader must be able to understand and control their own emotions while remaining empathetic and engaged with the emotions of others.

  2. Digital literacy – We are living in a digital world, and a great leader must be able to engage with others in this space.

  3. Adaptability – Leaders must not remain rigid and inflexible. Instead, they must be able to adapt to changing situations without losing their integrity.

  4. Cross-cultural competence – Leaders should be able to uphold the rights and interests of diverse groups of people, reflecting the nature of the societies they serve.

  5. Strategic thinking – Society faces many obstacles, and leaders must be able to think critically and strategically to overcome them.

  6. Resilience – Leaders need to be strong and willing to stick to their convictions.

  7. Communication skills – All leaders must be able to communicate their policies and aims clearly and honestly so everyone understands what they are about.


Candidate Overview

Image via Free Malaysia Today [Creative Commons License]

As we approach the upcoming election, we need to understand how US candidates differ on human rights issues and other policy areas. How will the US election impact global issues, such as climate change? Let's take a look.


Human Rights


Kamala Harris promises a strong approach to immigration while providing “earned pathways” to citizenship. She also supports the Equality Act for LGBTQ+ Americans and pledges to strengthen reproductive rights. She maintains that Israel has a right to defend itself with regard to Gaza, despite the UN and international law's insistence on Israel's illegal occupation and excessive violence that must be halted immediately. 


Donald Trump has pledged to deport 15 to 20 million illegal immigrants — numbers likely to exceed the total number of illegal migrants in the country. While this will impact marginalized communities, Trump has courted votes from minority groups. He backs Israel's efforts to "destroy" Hamas and has called for more robust responses to pro-Palestinian protests in America. 


Jill Stein, the presidential candidate for the Green Party, calls for an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza, and to occupation and apartheid in Palestine. She has been on the front lines of criticizing those benefitting from this massacre.


Climate Action


Kamala Harris has referred to climate change as an existential threat,” and has a history of voting for climate change prevention legislation. Harris sponsored the Green New Deal and opposed offshore drilling and fracking in the past, but her campaign platform is now more moderate. She will continue with Joe Biden's policy of incentivizing electric vehicles and green energy.


Donald Trump has referred to climate change as a “scam” and plans to increase reliance on fossil fuels while ending federal support for clean energy. He is a major supporter of drilling projects as a way to reduce energy costs, although he concedes that electric vehicles have a role to play.


Jill Stein advocates for the ecosocialist Real Green New Deal, which would take more dramatic action to cut carbon emissions and support a more sustainable future, including not phasing-out nuclear power until solutions for its waste have been realized.


Influence of Lobbyists


Kamala Harris’s Democrat Party is influenced by lobbyists, as this is a big part of American politics. Large numbers of lobbyists at the Democratic National Convention suggest this will continue to be the case. The Democrat Party's most significant donations came from members of the Fund for Policy Reform ($60,000,000), the Democracy PAC ($56,248,000), and Bloomberg LP ($45,252,280).


Donald Trump, as a former President, already has strong relationships with a large number of lobbyists. Indeed, he has shown himself to be keen to work with lobbying groups in government, collaborating with 281 lobbyists during his first term in office — four times as many as Barack Obama worked with in his first six years in office. The Republican Party's most significant donations came from members of Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment & Research ($129,690,700), Uline Inc ($127,851,049), and Citadel LLC ($101,458,244).


Jill Stein's top donors are members of the United States government ($13,940), Roll N Smoke ($13,000), and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard ($11,050). Members of Indiana University and Microsoft pledged over $7,000. Despite the lack of funding and media time, the Democrats still feel the need to smear Jill in their campaign.


Justice Reform


Kamala Harris is expected to limit the terms of Supreme Court Justices. Decriminalizing recreational marijuana use is another planned policy which is interesting considering she has faced accusations that she disproportionately jailed Black men while working as a prosecutor, particularly for offences related to marijuana.


Donald Trump enacted some of the biggest justice reforms in over a decade, signing the First Step Act in his first term in office. The act was designed to shorten federal sentences, although he later rolled back on this. Ahead of a potential second term, Trump plans to strengthen the police force and increase the prison population by reincarcerating people currently in home confinement.


Jill Stein supports bills, and even amendments to the constitution, that promote tribal and indigenous sovereignty, reparations, and the agenda to facilitate Black liberation, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, disability rights, and women's rights.


Accountability


Kamala Harris has been accused of being a “DEI hire” by some critics who use this pejoratively, although there is nothing to suggest she is not a highly capable politician in her own right. In terms of her policies, some believe she does not align her words with her actions — for example, being an outspoken advocate for women while supporting the ongoing killing of women and children in Gaza.


Donald Trump has stated that he plans to fire Jack Smith, the special counsel tasked with conducting federal investigations into the former President’s actions. This move would be a direct attempt to avoid accountability.


Jill Stein has faced accusations of benefiting from fossil fuel investments worth more than $900,000, insinuating her actions don't align with her public discourse around environmental issues and needs. 


Our Values as Conscious, Inclusive Leaders


The top leadership qualities for public officials are all based on a foundation of values. Whether thinking about global leadership or domestic governance, these values remain true. These five values are a simple and obvious place to start: 


  1. Champion a government that serves and empowers every citizen.

  2. Actively protect and enhance the environment for future generations.

  3. Embrace and respect the religious and cultural beliefs of others.

  4. Refuse to harm people of goodwill and stand against murder, violence and injustice.

  5. Speak truthfully and honour their commitments without fail.


We Must Choose Our Leaders Carefully


It's critical that we elect leaders who align with these values. If we fail to do so, our society, our dignity, and even our whole planet is at stake. Let us know how you are staying informed as a voter and working towards effecting positive change. Reach out today if your leaders want to work towards cementing these qualities into their own work.

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