The US is the world's most dysfunctional major democracy | Ian Bremmer | Quick Take
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 16. 06. 2024
- It's not like democracy all over the world is in crisis or is about to fall apart. It's not like most countries can't have normal elections. But the United States is an outlier. it's of course, the most powerful country in the world, but it's also the most dysfunctional major democracy. It's a democracy in crisis, and it's getting worse.
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Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: Hi, everybody. Ian Bremmer here and a Quick Take to kick off your week. I want to talk about US elections and democracy.
This has been the year 2024 of elections all over the world. And most of them are going just fine. I mean, pretty much almost all of them. Okay, Russia is not a democracy. So you shouldn't really talk about elections because it's not like the people actually have a choice. It's Putin or it's Putin. But everywhere else, we've had elections that are free and fair and peaceful, and they've led to stable transitions, whether they're voting people out, or whether they're clipping their power or whether they're doubling down on them. And that's been true in Indonesia and Mexico and South Africa, India, the European Parliament. And soon it will be true in the coming weeks, first in France and in the United Kingdom. So it's not like democracy all over the world is in crisis or is about to fall apart. It's not like most countries can't have normal elections.
But the United States is an outlier. it's of course, the most powerful country in the world, but it's also the most dysfunctional major democracy. It's a democracy in crisis, and it's getting worse. In 2020, of course, there was an election that was very seriously contested. Former President Trump claimed the vote was rigged. It wasn't. But he continues to push forward that narrative. And it has been supported by pretty much the entire Republican Party leadership because he's in charge of the party and as a consequences believed by a strong majority of Republican voters. That is unique among advanced industrial democracies.
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#In60Seconds #Trump #USElections
Corruption is the problem.
Without a doubt, this year will be worse than the last. I lost a lot of money last year as a result of bad investment choices that I would not have made if I hadn't been so worried about my portfolio. I kept investing, but I couldn't determine whether to start paying for a house. In the end, I sold my positions, and the house needed more work than I had planned. I'm not sure how long I can keep going like this
We've all made mistakes at some point. You should consider financial planning
True. My portfolio was diversified across several markets with the help of a financial planner, and were able to achieve over a million in net profit among high dividend yield equities, ETFs, and bonds. It is vital that you have a variety of exposure, including in firms that are currently generating cash flows.
Do you mind sharing your financial planner ?
Leah Foster Alderman
You are most likely to find more info when you look her up.
A sad state of affairs for the US, but I suspect other countries are not far behind. The last Ontario provincial election had a record low turnout. ~44%
Ignorant, passionate people often feel that things they don't understand are "conspiracies." And if enough people of that sort get together and try to take over, they usually resort to actual conspiracies.
THANK YOU IAN
I do not hear Byden saying Trump is an illegitimate candidate. I need a quote to support that assertion
Maybe Murdock has something to do with it.
unless you want all media say the same thing.
Soros.......
Does Murdoch own everything.
@@tobiisiba1641 Just the crazy stuff.
@@tobiisiba1641 his cousins do
sponsored by BofA
Thanks, Ian. 100% excellent comments. America is going through a deep and dark valley. And certainly needs political reform.
Censoring Hunter Biden Laptop story, Russia gate, Ukraine BS. It is all BS
Eventually âdemocracyâ America has to learn from nowadays âdictatorshipâ China how to effectively and efficiently run the country, same as China did profoundly in last decades from America.
Over time the future evolution of the world will be a process in which all countries (including the United States, a capitalist society) imitate or learn from China's process to effectively and efficiently develop themselves by "locking capital in a cage". Of cause, they are also very likely to give up their proud âone person, one vote" election and multi-party competition system. Both do seriously hinder social progress and evolution.
Dems and GOP power brokers should agree on ditching two old men, and have fresh presidential candidates.
GOP power brokers are not in control.
To be honest, I'm a liberal democrat and I also feel this system is non representative. And I also would like to see the current power structure dismantled (corporate and special interests buying politicians). So it's not just Trump supporters who have this mindset. I tried to help bring about a transformation from the left, by supporting Bernie and Elizabeth Warren. But they weren't able to overcome headwinds on the national scene. Ironic because they're far more centrist and sane than Trump but somehow were seen as radical.
Very well said. How do we get your voice in front of more people?
As always, the great sense maker. Always time well spent with you Ian. Many thanks, đđ»
The US had one dysfunctional post-election episode. The antagonists were upset at narrow losses and changes in voting rules to accommodate the pandemic era voting. Itâs in more crisis when the powers of government are used discriminately against candidates. I think the Steele dossier and Wikileaks have set this all in motion and both sides are reacting poorly. But not sure our elections are dysfunctional.
Excelent.
Name another one that has to deal with so many kinds of people and beliefs. ONE.
So if we donât vote the way you want itâs not democracy? I would say going after your political opponents with law fare and destroying the publicâs trust in our legal system, and censoring legitimate criticism isnât very democratic.
I remember a town in Austria of 9000 residents produced 11,000 votes in 2016...for a Green kosher!đ
The police union and the teachers union? đ How about techno feudalism?
Lukeshanko also said his elections weren't rigged and the state apparatus wasn't used against his political opponents. One objective glace at his trials will show fishy decisions. That does not mean he is innocent, but it does suggest political prosecution.
Compulsive liars don't scare me. They can harm no one if no one listens to them. Compulsive believers, on the other hand: they should terrify you. They enable the liar.
You should be a little more scared by liars. Hitler was a liar.
Thanks for explaining things so insightfully and clearly to non-Americans.
Justice being done is not enough. It must be seen to be done as well. Likewise, it's not enough for people to exercise their individual franchises; they must also perceive a fair conduction of the broader exercise. The latter is the problem confronting America, and mere procedural transparency is certainly not going to be enough to change the now deeply entrenched aporias.
I have always respected Bremmerâs take and while it was refreshing to hear a well informed and neutral view, he left out the autocratic policies and the religious influence of Trumpâs Agenda 47 and Project 2025 to say nothing about Trumpâs âretributionâ theme. Bremmer almost appears to be hedging his bets by painting both candidates as simply calling the other illegitimate instead of pointing out the genuine threat to our Constitutional republic by a Trump presidency.
Don't confuse democracy with plutocracy and that's what US is, plutocracy.
Don't confuse a Democracy with a Republic. USA is a Republic not a Democracy (Plutocracy).
The US has become a sort of plutocracy because we have allowed our electoral politics to be corrupted by big money and influence peddling. Before the Citizen's United decision by the Supreme Court, campaign finance reform was always on the table because Democrats demanded it. Republicans engineered the Citizen's United decision out of their own self-interest because they saw the potential to build long-term control across the nation, but exploiting unlimited money to fund campaigns. The Republican Party is the party of the plutocracy.
i am concerned by the outcome of this election regardless of the way it turns out, which seems like a bad way to be. also itâs becoming more obvious by the day that Americans arenât safe abroad, which makes things even worse
Americans aren't safe abroad? I am an American professor in a Chinese college town. I am safer here than I have ever been in the USA. Americans are safe in most of the world if they act like decent people.
When Americans are abroad the rest of us are less safe.
Americans aren't safe in... France? Britain? Germany? Japan? South Korea? I think your statement is a bit hyperbolic.
I am genuinely nervous that the next election in the USA will be a triggering factor for a civil war. There is so much tension and extreme polarization. And the fact that democracy is something worth fighting for. What do you think?
I for one am more worried that this next election tips us into authoritarianism for real and America responds not with outrage but a collective shrug.
@@_andrew83 Eventually âdemocraticâ America has to learn from nowadays âdictatorshipâ China how to effectively and efficiently run the country, same as China did in last decades.
@@_andrew83 Over time the future evolution of the world will be a process in which all countries (including the United States, a capitalist society) imitate or learn from China's process to effectively and efficiently develop themselves by "locking capital in a cage". Of cause, they are also very likely to give up their proud âone person, one vote" election and multi-party competition system. Both do seriously hinder social progress and evolution.
Eventually âdemocraticâ America has to learn from nowadays âdictatorshipâ China how to effectively and efficiently run the country, same as China did in last decades from America.
Over time the future evolution of the world will be a process in which all countries (including the United States, a capitalist society) imitate or learn from China's process to effectively and efficiently develop themselves by "locking capital in a cage". Of cause, they are also very likely to give up their proud âone person, one vote" election and multi-party competition system. Both do seriously hinder social progress and evolution.
yay đ
Bremmer names every lobby group except AIPAC. He knows what he can and cannot say. These ten-minute quick takes for quick clicks are cringeworthy.
He is also on the payroll and is shilling hardđ€Ą
First-class analysis & why a Trump loss will be questioned in a country at a tipping point of demographic, cultural and economic change like few other eras in American history. Thank you Ian!
Itâs fine donât worry about it so much. Everything the government does should be scrutinized, elections are no exception.
Scrutinized is one thing, but lied about continuously is another thing entirely.
When our system collapses or can't effectively do the government's role.THEN I will believe it is dysfunctional
Dog sitting in flaming room: "This is fine"
"a shadowy group of people controlling government policy." No, definitely not a thing, Ian. What do these nonexistent people have in common? I will wait for someone in the replies to my comment to answer, and in a way, Ian is right. They are not really being secret or clandestine; they are actually quite open and public about controlling policy.
Tony Blair Bill Gates George Soros Hillary Clinton.
There are a lot of groups that want to control government policy. Christian Nationalists, for example. None of those groups has complete control. "Monied interests" (ExxonMobil, Amazon, The Pharmaceutical industry, Billionaires...) is a pretty broad "group". It's not like they all know each other, but in total they have a lot of control.
Thatâs not true. Here in the Netherlands the time it takes to form a governing coalition after an election has increased sixfold over the last 3 decades. We had one that took 299 days. By contrast, it took Beel just 10 days to form a government in 1958. Since the assassination of Pim Fortuyn in 2002, just before he wouldâve been elected prime minister, Dutch politics has been breaking down and radicalising. The landscape is filled by smaller and smaller, more sectarian parties and each wing is split between populist & anti-populist and pro-system & anti-system parties. And each wing has split over green issues. In Belgium, it is even worse. In Flanders, the national conservative Vlaams Belang is consistently the largest party. Every other party unites against it. That is the only way to excludes it. Still, it took 541 days to form a coalition in 2011. Before that, there was over a year of lame duck politics. When such an anti-populist grand coalition comes into office, they agree on nothing and donât get much done. And donât get me started about Suriname. In Suriname, the day when former dictator Desi Bouterse came into power is a national holiday but he is in hiding after being convicted for crimes against humanity. In fact, this was his second conviction. In 2012, he was convicted but given amnesty by parliament. He and his party had won the election two years prior. The Netherlands is doing just as poorly as the US and Belgium and Suriname are even worse. France and Italy have politics no more functional than the US. In 2021 Germany had its capitol stormed so so itâs not as if Germany is doing much better than the US.
Elections in India were not fair, but free yes.
I used to like watching World Wrestling on TV a couple of decades ago. Yes, the matches were rigged, but there were boundaries which participants were not allowed to cross. Then it became more and more violent. Picking up a chair, or stretcher, and smashed each other became acceptable. And bleeding and wounds are actually the real deal.
But is it wrestling? Well, it never was REAL wrestling. It was entertainment. However, the audience demanded more blood, more gore, and violence, and the wrestling controlling bodies complied, and wrestling matches became closer to being a physical assault than a test of skill.
But why am I talking about wrestling when the core issue is US politics? Well, US politics 10-20 years ago, was brutal, but not lethal and dysfunctional like what it has become nowadays. Now politics is a no-hold-bar affair, and sadly, Americans love it. That change in attitude of Americans towards politics and their preferred candidate, become more brutal accordingly.
Trump's arrival is the result of the culmination of years of dysfunctions in US politics. He arrived at the right time when America's economy becomes more challenging thanks to China. Trump encourages and facilitates the nasty elements which have been bubbling away for a log time, to rise to the top. That is why we see "patriots" in oversized pickups, with large US flags poking out of both sides, chanting "USA, USA, USA". The climax came in the form of Jan 6th 2021 insurrection. And we shouldn't be surprised that it was the natural progression of aggressive US politics.
The big question is..."What is Joe Biden going against the odds, and beat Trump again ?"
At what point a dysfunctional democracy is not a democracy many more? From what you laid out in the video, I donât see how we are more democratic than Russia.
Then you either have no idea what goes on in Russia, or you have no idea what goes on in America.
In his list of powerful interests Ian does not list higher education, media, and entertainment. When you list finance, NRA, big pharma, but not these others, I think itâs telling on the perspective of your analysis. The system is incredibly strong as long as the constitution is followed and power is distributed. It is not and it starts with Fed and borrowing authority.
Hey Ian you forgot to say that the US is the world's biggest troublemaker.
political-business nexus is root cause of USA dysfunctional. If you see more deeply it is capitalism, which is running it last course.
Why:
1)not put a cap on the amount of political donations?
2)transparency on donners and the amount.
why not drink from a rain storm?
Something something unconstitutional something...
You don't think letting millions cross your borders to help a party's ambitions hurts democracy?
What about Jr. Kennedy? In this context? He seems to be on the same hymn sheet.
He's a lunatic.
Thanks Ian. Iâm glad you bring up these points. You seem confident the judicial system is not being weaponized. Many would find the timing of legal action against Trump to be suspicious. How are you so confident that this is not occurring?
Do you think voter ID and in person voting would help bring confidence back to the election process? As I recall, 2016 and 2020 were both contested elections.
2016 and 2020 are not apples to apples. 2020 unfolded over months and Trump said from early in the year that it was âriggedâ. And then obviously all that transpired after the election up to 1/6, all because of HIM. Itâs insane heâs allowed to continue to run.
The damage he did to election integrity by failing to concede, telling his base it was stolen, and not even showing up for the inauguration is unprecedented and will do damage to the transfer of power for at least a few more election cycles, maybe longterm. Hillary conceded the night she lost the election.
Ian, in all seriousness, I thought you were going to say a lot of Americans donât feel represented due to the rural states having such outsized Senate representation, which means judiciary (which has become shamelessly political). Iâm not too pleased about much of the rest of what you did end up listing. How about your thoughts next time regarding how to bring about good changes?
The model for the senate representation is that same as used by the UN and for governing the EU. Maybe if you think about the problems that would arise if the UN was proportional to population you might think about why states with lower populations might be suspicious of your balancing. In any case, no state is trying to subdivide to gain more representation in the Senate. Apparently, having a block in presidential elections is more important that Senate seats. The judiciary became shamelessly political in the era of FDR - but now it is a problem when it swings back the other way?
@@richdobbs6595 You can't justify a person having 50 times as much representation just because they live on a different chunk of real estate. That representation is not just the Senate, but extends to the courts (via the Senate) and the Executive via the Electoral College. I could understand your states' rights argument up to a point, but you guys are over-represented in all three branches of government. It's not right.
People don't care about democracy. Democracy is a method, not a goal. Many people has delusion that democracy is our goal (it is certainly not). The goal is to have a better life, a better society, a healthier society, safe street, political and social stability ...
Well, democracy does not guarantee any of that, therefore it should never be the focus. The focus is wrong that's what is happening. People needs to focus on the goal, not method. No method guarantee any results like a golf swing. Does it work? No, then move to something else just like the Romans.
That's what Xi would say.
If this is accurate. How is it that all Trump supporters believe he is in it for the little man so to speak, and why canât the democrats clearly compare and contrast who backs them vs who backs Trump.
Yeah i dont think so lmao
Orange Man Bad!
Did you watch the video you muppet?
he is for you
Mathew Collangelo says it is true. I thought only the other guy on this channel was a shill. Sorry to hear this from you to.
The thing is the only ones that crumble is belief that only a democracy are form that acceptable of governing people. That belief are what USA to become now, democracy is always exist and would as form of governance but that is not the only one, and heck if you look closely some form of democracy are always exist in any other form of governance. Right now, many are reconsidering democracy is essentially a cult, not for benefits of the people but only legitimatizing machine of interest. A cult always brings harm to itself and others. Next democracy would be in the same place as freedom just a delusional rambling and talking points.
That is all nice and well, but when are Democrats going to talk about the fact that Biden can hardly walk straight???
When will Republicans talk about the fact that Trump's brain is fried?
This too shall pass.
I prefer the less partisan Ian. People seek moderation from the extremes on both sides. Ianâs willingness to overlook Dem divide-and-conquer extremism (border, social wars, etc.) indicates that he is not serving as an honest broker here.
Tip toeing the words trying to avoid to say what everyone knows.
Bremmer: There's corruption everywhere in our system but Trump Trump Trump
You are the Fourth Estate đșđČ
The Fourth Estate is no more! It was spayed and neutered by multinational, corporate monopolies! As you cannot have a democracy without a free press, the US is no longer a democracy!
so
How come nobody talks about the immigration invasion and now they want to let them vote?
America should step down from trademarking and spreading democracy everywhere. What moral high ground do you have? India should assume that place in my opinion. Iâm not Indian, btw.
If there were a solution offered to the rigging problem, I would take the accusations more seriously.
Given the history of GOP politics, the accusation is an excuse for rigging on their part.
It's this pot and kettle projection game again... Play this game too much and the accusations fall flat, and discredit the accuser.
This guy is complaining about big money and he's sponsored by Bank of America. This is unbelievable
State department calls the shots. Who you vote for simply follows orders.
He is saying Biden is in charge!?đ
He is "in charge" in the sense him and his administration is the single most powerful group in the U.S. Of course, power is far more decentralized in the U.S. than in autocracies. He is beholden to his constituents, interests groups, and the other branches of government found in any liberal democracy, but the insinuation that some duplicitous force is directing the Biden administration isn't really a fair assessment of what is going on.
A totally bias view, no lawfareâŠseriously?
Heâs contributing to the dysfunction. Both sides donât see the problem their own side poses.
Iâm no fan of Trump and definitely wonât be voting for him, but if you donât believe that, the criminal cases arenât politically motivated youâre not being honest with your audience
USA is a Republic, not aa Democracy though.
it's technofascist
@@tuckerbugeater No. That is just plain silly, although the Democrats are trending towards actual fascism.
Stolen it and cry foul?đ
WeAreRent
Change the headline. Weâve been pledging to the republic k-12
Is Bremmer a journalist or a democrat pusher
He is irritatingly objective. His insights on the system, government policies, and the candidate's policies are on the same level.
I blame DNC not able to come up with a single candidate other than biden to beat donald freaking trump.
Just Remember Jan 6 2020, when you vote 2024, who incited for this to happen?
American democracy is choosing between two colors, not between two sets of different policies
This guy is full of it and a very dangerous mouthpiece for the Democratic conglomerate
I mean the French had riots after the last election when Rally crushed and started screaming that democracy was a threat to democracy
Such drama. Such exaggeration. The sky did not fall in 2016 and it will not fall again.
profoundly useless set of comments from ian.
Dude, get a grip.
If youâre concerned about legitimate elections and our democracy, you should be talking about: voter id, bias in the media, mail-in ballot fraud, and state actors prosecuting a leading candidate.
No, dude. Not at all. You should be talking about Trump and his lies. And crimes.
Yea we should also be looking into illegal immigrants, people voting on fentanyl, actual aliens and why the establishment doesn't believe the earth is flat.
@@velisvideos6208how are those not valid concerns?
And dont forget about immigration invasion ,im sick and tired of this bs shoved down my throat đ€ź
Provide proof of all your claims. You have no evidence of wide spread voter fraud. None and you know you donât.
Propaganda
I donât think you understand what that is.
Lomo: yep
Biased Bremmer
Well informed, intelligent Bremmer.
Agree, check his track records, he represents capital only. Ironically, 2 years ago he was still very optimistic about this capital controlled country.
The US constitution doesn't have the word"Democracy" so what are you talking about
What do you then call âfor the people, by the peopleâ?
@@poulha for the people by people, power over power, exactly what America is money buy power by the people for the people themselves, the next 99% suckers
This argument that the USA is not a democracy has always puzzled me. Firstly, it was formed when the USA got rid of a tyrant. Secondly, it doesn't matter what is written. The USA IS not that text.
Why donât you read the Constitution where it talks about how the government is formed?
The Constitution does not say you have a right to an AR-15 though.
@@goarmysleepinthemud. Did you find the "democracy" word? Or you just making things up?
When I go to China đšđł, a common question I get asked is: Why is it that Americans must choose between two horrible political figures in Biden and Trump?
The question is often followed with the point that neither Biden nor Trump could hold a position governing the lowest level township, prefecture or village in China đšđł.
Why? Because they havenât served the people. Theyâve served their own self-interests, and certainly elites. But to be a leader in China, you must serve the people, and serve them for a LONG TIME.
Now look at Xi Jinpingâs political career. Does this look like a leader that can be outmaneuvered or outsmarted by two warmongers, one of whom is senile and the other a convicted criminal?
The answer is an easy no. China đšđł is in good hands, while the U.S. empire is being strangled by incompetence and diligent service to the most corrupt forces on the planet.
When I go to China I get asked âwhy donât you speak Mandarin? At least I think thatâs what theyâre saying
China's in good hands? Are you kidding? Have you seen their real estate sector? Their property market? The deflation their economy is experiencing? Their reduction in foreign investment? Their debt, demographics? Productivity decline? I mean, the list goes on. Say what you want about China, but China is NOT in good hands.
Clearly you should move to China. They will welcome you and you won't have any pesky elections to worry about. Problem solved.
Biden was first elected in Delaware to the New Castle County Council in 1970, and then to the US Senate in 1972 to 2008. He then served as Vice President to President Obama (2008 to 2016), and now has served president (2020 to date). He has served essentially his entire life. He dispelled the accusation of senility during his vigorous State of Union Address in March 2024 (much to the irritation of his Republican detractors, who were clearly expecting him to fumble).
Trump's first elected office was to President in 2016, so you make a fair point on Trump. He is a convicted felon, I will grant you that.
I presume the charge of 'warmonger' is leveled against the US for its defense of Ukraine. Russia's (a Chinese 'no limits partnership' ally) unprovoked attack on Ukraine has been going on since February 2022, when Russian tanks rolled across the border in a full scale invasion. The US and its allies in NATO simply defended Ukraine in against Russia's naked aggression.
If your 'warmonger' reference is referring to Israel, I'll remind you that Hamas' October 2023 unprovoked attack on that killed 1000s peaceful civilians that caused Israel to defend itself. It is not unlike China's Uyghurs situation in western China: a Muslim minority, unprovoked aggression by Uyghurs terrorists that killed a handful of Chinese that were colonizing the area, and a systematic brutal crackdown that put millions of Uyghur civilians in complete lockdown and 'reeducation' camps. The difference is that Chinese were able to limit access to the area and effectively cover their actions up.
I would politely disagree with you on Chairman Xi.
The problem with democracy is our failure to grasp the concept itself. You have made inconsistent and self-contradicting statements from start to finish. Unless we fix our understanding of democracy, we'll make no progress. czcams.com/video/UeSEx7veNKI/video.html