Trump bandwagon trips

But it is disturbing so many Americans have turned insular

Interest in the third and last US presidential election debate mainly centred around whether Republican candidate Donald Trump would be able to put in a dramatic performance and thereby begin to reduce the massive lead that his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton had built up in opinion polls after the first two debates. It seems Mr Trump has passed up that chance, thus allowing the Democratic candidate to change her strategy into one of consolidating an anticipated victory rather than still seeking to ensure it. According to consolidated state and national polls, Mr Trump's chances of winning have fallen from 30 per cent after the first debate to just eight per cent at the end of the third. Over the three debates, Mr Trump's performance has not changed much either in style or content.

Mrs Clinton, on the other hand, has improved her performance like a disciplined professional, though there is not much exciting or uplifting content she has to offer. The kind of administration and policies that she is expected to deliver will not be far different from what prevails now under President Barack Obama, give or take a bit of tweaking. The Obama administration will not be remembered for what it was able to deliver as a hostile Congress refused to give him an inch. His sole achievement, Obamacare, appears to be coming unstuck lately after a good initial takeoff. As for Ms Clinton, there is one consolation and half a hope - that a severe Republican setback, courtesy Mr Trump, will hand the Congress back to the Democrats, who will then allow Ms Clinton to deliver on a reasonable agenda.

What will be disturbing for many Americans is the damage that this election could do to their self-perception and social structure. Americans pride themselves on the rock-like structure of their political system, which ensures a smooth transfer of power through a process that is not just fair but also seen to be so. Most people who matter in the United States are furious that Mr Trump has called into question the robustness of the electoral process by alleging that these presidential elections could well be rigged and steadfastly refusing to change his stance despite widespread protests from across the political spectrum.

Not just that, Mr Trump has shaken the social fabric of his country by directing his campaign against immigration, Hispanics and African Americans, and appearing to paint Muslims indiscriminately with the same brush. Moreover, as the campaign has progressed, his attitude towards women has turned out to be both gross and regrettable. If despite all this he retains a core support, then that has managed to bring out in the open something not very positive in American society. A good section of white men who do not have college degrees and see themselves as losing out economically in recent decades has been emboldened to come out as racist and backward looking, having missed out on social reforms that have taken place in a half century or more. It is disturbing for the rest of the world that so many Americans have turned so inward looking. It does not bode well for either global stability or progress if a major power loses interest in leading, be it in fighting against climate change or for human rights.