Bernard Chan

Opinion | Like Hong Kong, US must heed lesson that corrosive politics breeds hate

Inability or unwillingness to engage in dialogue, compromise and recognise shared interests can foster an environment ripe for radicalisation

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Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents as he is helped off the stage after being shot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Photo: AP

Bernard Chan

Published: 9:30am, 26 Jul 2024

Many people in Hong Kong have been closely following the US presidential election. The hostile and venomous nature of the Democratic and Republican campaigns came as no surprise. The campaigns appear to focus on undermining the opponent through slurs and verbal abuse, rather than on policy and the real issues affecting the daily lives of Americans.

The latest twist is President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the contest and the announcement of Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. I fear the horrible rhetoric will only continue.

The election seems closer to a theatrical production than a battle to persuade the American public of a candidate’s capabilities or leadership qualities – as envisioned by the country’s founding fathers. They sought to create a system of government with checks and balances, where elected representatives would engage in substantive debate and make decisions in the best interests of the citizens.

But the modern political environment is increasingly characterised by partisan posturing, media spectacle and a focus on short-term gains, rather than meaningful policy dialogue or proffering solutions to the country’s problems.

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump at the Pennsylvania rally shocked everyone. In the aftermath, both political sides called for calm. Yet within days, the vitriolic rhetoric, demonisation and personal attacks had returned to the campaign trail.

In a society grappling with violent crime and mass shootings, a history of political violence, assassinations and intense political division, the tragic events that unfolded that afternoon are unfortunately not entirely surprising. Yet Democrats and Republicans continue to denounce the act as un-American.