Voices of Mexico no. 54

Our Voice

The surprising, contradictory events of the U.S. elections are a lesson for all the world’s champions and architects of democracy: no matter how solid a democracy seems to be, it is never exempt from threats and risks. Democracy and its institutions are not indestructible. Even if people think a single vote does not seem to have a real impact on an election, the U.S. experience of last November 7 teaches us that every vote counts, and it is responsible citizens who, individually, define the course of democratic government. November 7 also showed that confidence in the electoral process is essential in building a democracy.

The electoral machinery cannot be allowed to rust. Although infrastructure for organizing elections is expensive, efficient mechanisms and clear rules for voting without confusion are indispensable, as are the scrupulous organization of elections and their ample monitoring, just as occurred in Mexico’s elections of last July 2.

The deeper meaning of the lesson that we have all learned is that we must be increasingly alert to holes in the democratic process. In the case of the United States, the negative effects of this much-talked-about election will probably be felt even after the January 20 inauguration and, of course, will also have an impact on other democracies in the rest of the world.