Polarization in the United States is not new and Trump’s presidency should not obscure America’s rich history, say two political scientists.
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“The idea of the United States is still something extraordinary and exceptional. Let men and women say to each other: men and women have rights, not through the generosity of the State or the leader of the moment, but through the very existence of their nature. They can govern themselves, not by a king, not by a dictator, and the only political authority that has the right to govern them is the authority that they agree to delegate themselves. That, something both exceptional and revolutionary,” declared the associate member of the Raoul-Dandurand Chair, Guillaume Lavoie, in an interview with LCN.
This democracy has endured for 250 years and has survived a Civil War, a Great Depression, a massive civil rights movement and protests against the Vietnam War.
“The excesses of Trump and the discouragement linked to Trump in the face of other threats in history are, I would say, small rocks in the road which are nevertheless quite exceptional,” underlines the specialist in American politics.
Americans more divided than ever?
American politicians seem more polarized than ever, but it is not necessarily the same for the population, claims the doctoral student in political science at Sciences Po Paris, Georges Mercier.
“The average American is much more disconnected from day-to-day politics than we are in the media. So we will have to see if the disconnection of politicians and the polarization of politicians will be transmitted to Americans,” indicates the political analyst.
The latter reminds us that despite many major episodes of division, the United States has never collapsed.
“Not all states would have survived periods of sometimes very violent polarization like this. However, they manage to get by. Are they stronger or weaker? The future will tell us, but I am certain that it is a State that still stands,” insists Georges Mercier.
To see the interviews, watch the videos above.
