What Bangladesh Can Learn from the American Election
I discussed these ideas in my recent (Nov 10, 2024) Dhaka Tribune piece.
My Positionality:
As a Bangladeshi Muslim researcher living and teaching in the U.S., I am no stranger to watching political tides shape people’s lives. This U.S. election, however, got me thinking less like a professor and more like a concerned citizen of two worlds. The choices voters made here reveal some powerful dynamics — identity, economic insecurity, and digital distrust — that do not just belong to America! These factors are reshaping democracies globally, including back home in Bangladesh.
Watching these trends unfold here, where I live and work, feels personal. America’s political landscape is a mirror, and Bangladesh, as a young democracy, could face these same pressures. What happens here is more than just a headline for us; it is a wake-up call. So, let us dive into these lessons and figure out what we can learn to help young democracies like Bangladesh thrive — without getting lost in the same divides.
Photo: Trump supporters cheer and clap at the election night rally in Palm Beach, Florida. Source: BBC
Economic Anxiety Breeds Discontent
In the U.S., economic concerns took the center stage, with 31% of voters citing the economy as the deciding factor in their vote — and a remarkable 79% of these voters choosing Trump. The data shows how financial hardship and rising inflation drove many Americans toward promises of economic reform, especially among those who felt the establishment had left them behind.
For Bangladesh, where economic inequality is palpable, the lesson is clear. Rapid economic growth in Bangladesh has lifted millions out of poverty, yet the benefits remain uneven. The rural-urban divide, combined with inflation and underemployment, risks pushing economically disenfranchised groups into the arms of populist leaders who exploit this discontent. To avoid such divisiveness, Bangladesh must work to create an inclusive economic environment, where the gains of growth reach everyone, not just the privileged few.
The Pull of Identity Politics
Identity was a powerful factor in this election. White evangelical Christians overwhelmingly supported Trump, with 81% casting their vote for the former president. Rural voters, too, backed Trump by 63%, reinforcing how identity and geography shape political loyalties.
Bangladesh is no stranger to the dangers of identity politics, with divisions often based on religion, language, political, and regional identities. While these factors are integral to a nation’s culture, when political parties stoke these divides, it risks undermining social cohesion. Just as identity divides voters in the U.S., it could create lasting fractures in Bangladesh’s democracy if exploited irresponsibly. Building a cohesive democratic society requires that leaders acknowledge and respect these identities, without allowing them to define or divide us politically.
Institutional Distrust and the Spread of Misinformation
Nearly half of American voters reported doubts about the integrity of the election process, with a staggering 81% of those lacking confidence supporting Trump. This mistrust reflects a worrying trend fueled by misinformation, creating a divide that questions the very foundation of democracy.
Bangladesh faces similar challenges with a growing digital population susceptible to misinformation. Left unchecked, false narratives can distort public opinion, creating mistrust in democratic processes and institutions. The urgency of combating misinformation cannot be overstated. Bangladesh must focus on digital/AI literacy and promote transparency, ensuring that misinformation does not corrode public trust in democracy.
Generational Divides Demand New Approaches
In the U.S., younger voters leaned heavily progressive, with 55% of voters aged 18-29 supporting Kamala Harris, while older demographics swung conservative. This generational divide reflects different priorities, with younger voters focused on issues like climate change and social justice, and older voters more concerned with stability and traditional values.
This generational divide reflects different priorities, with younger voters focused on issues like climate change and social justice, and older voters more concerned with stability and traditional values.
Bangladesh, too, has a young population — more than half of the country is under 25. Engaging this demographic in the democratic process is crucial. Young people are not only future voters but also current stakeholders in issues that directly impact their lives, from job opportunities to environmental sustainability. To prevent political disengagement or unrest, Bangladesh must prioritize policies that resonate with youth, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
A Blueprint for a Resilient Democracy:
The American election highlights how fragile democracy can be, particularly when faced with the forces of economic insecurity, identity politics, institutional mistrust, and generational divides. For Bangladesh, these lessons are invaluable. Democracy is not simply a government structure; it is a contract with citizens. Honoring this contract requires inclusive policies, transparency, and respect for both the old and the emerging voices of a nation.
In the end, this U.S. election is a powerful reminder for both Americans and Bangladeshis that democracy’s true strength lies in our collective commitment to equity, trust, and resilience. Here in the U.S., I see the impact of a divided nation wrestling with questions of identity, economic insecurity, and institutional trust. And in Bangladesh, where I work closely with vulnerable populations like forcibly displaced Rohingya families and unemployed Bangladeshi youth, these issues resonate just as deeply, albeit in different ways.
For both nations, the way forward is clear: we must prioritize institutions that genuinely serve all citizens, especially those on the margins. Very few care about policy talks, people care about societies where everyone has access to a dignified life with food, healthcare, education and employment. People want to live in a society where our young ones see a future for themselves, and where the most vulnerable have a voice. In the U.S., that means bridging divides and rebuilding trust in democratic systems and directly addressing the needs of the general American population. For Bangladesh, it means building a democracy that is inclusive and sustainable, one that addresses real needs and uplifts every citizen.
The stakes are high, but so is the potential! A resilient democracy is more than just winning elections. We need to focus on cultivating a society where different voices strengthens our shared humanity. In both the U.S. and Bangladesh, a thriving democracy will build connections not divides - this will be important to remember. When we commit to inclusion, equity, and collective liberation, we do not simply safeguard democracy, we strengthen it.
The U.S. might take a note from Bangladesh as well — building a future where democracies grow strong, resilient, and united in vision sometimes requires shifting power from the politicians to the people. And sometimes the process may not even look that polished!
References:
Al Jazeera. (2024, August 5). Timeline: The rise and fall of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/5/timeline-sheikh-hasinas-reign-ends-after-15-years
NBC News. (2024). Exit polls: U.S. election results and voter insights. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/exit-polls
