The 2024 presidential election was another defining moment for the United States, and our nation’s future, yet the results raised a critical question: as a democracy, are we prioritizing the right values when choosing our leaders?
As economic, climate and societal issues have stolen our nation’s attention, it is worth considering how European morals could reshape our political landscape and create a better, healthier future.
This election cycle, Americans focused on key issues facing our country and the greater world. However, the Democratic and Republican parties hold opposing views on these issues.
The Pew Research Center in Washington DC has surveyed registered voters throughout this political season, and found “Among Trump supporters, the economy (93%), immigration (82%) and violent crime (76%) are the leading issues… For Harris supporters, issues such as health care (76%) and Supreme Court appointments (73%) are of top importance. Large majorities also cite the economy (68%) and abortion (67%) as very important to their vote in the election.”
This division between parties and their respective agendas often prevents the country from addressing critical issues effectively. It also creates a climate of distrust, making it harder for people to engage in conversations to find common ground. Less than half of American voters say they are confident in either candidate bringing the country closer, a very sad statistic.
However, opinions from beyond our borders offer an interesting perspective. In Europe, where the political landscape is often more aligned with social democratic principles, many citizens and leaders evaluated the two American presidential nominees through the lens of their European values.
Opinions on candidates like Trump and Harris tend to be shaped by their stances on global cooperation, climate change and human rights. Trump’s “America First” policies and withdrawal from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord have drawn significant criticism in Europe, where addressing climate change is a high priority. Conversely, Harris’s commitment to environmental sustainability and multilateralism resonates more positively, as these align with the broader European approach to shared global challenges.
