The Greatness of America

“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” These are the words of Alexis de Tocqueville, a French philosopher who observed American democratic politics in the early 19th century. This “ability to repair her faults” was clear to anyone: the pendulum motion of the general will expressed in elections and the repetitive exchange of power between the two great parties, the Republicans and Democrats. The pages of American history are turned by the swing of the general will.

Has that pendulum clock of American politics finally broken? The Trump administration, which has worried the world for four years, is having difficulties with the ballot counting in the U.S. presidential election, and supporters have violently clashed. Four days after Election Day, Joe Biden finally declared victory.

“A victory for we the people. … I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify.” His speech was a rejection of Donald Trump, who won support by dividing enemies from friends. At the same time, this was a declaration about restoring legitimacy to American politics.

“[E]very little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.” The speech by Kamala Harris, who will become the first female, Black and Asian vice president, also asserted that diversity and the fight for rights are the wellspring of America’s strength, and displayed the breadth of the change in administrations. Even Trump, who has been fighting back with a barrage of lawsuits, may not be able to escape the election results. The pendulum of American politics has barely begun to swing again. For the next four years, we can only hope that the time to face the future will definitively arrive.