Mannheim Scholars React to US Election
Professor Dr. Philipp Gassert
Professor of Contemporary History
America is moving even further to the right. Lies, racism and sexism have won. That should be a lesson to us in Europe, because we are now looking at another four years of Trumpian day-to-day madness. He won the elections with a clarity that surprised supporters and enemies alike. It was not the expected “coin toss”, the endless limbo of 2020. The Republicans will also have a majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court is already in the hands of Trump. He will feel powerful and invincible, test the limits of the almost 250-year-old constitution, and shift the balance further towards the executive.
In a period of economic upheaval and crisis, Harris and the Democrats have failed to convince America that the 47th president will do the country more harm than good. Whether Trump will usher in a “golden age” for America remains to be seen. We do know he has plans to conquer outer space with Elon Musk. It will be a dark time for Europe. Trump clearly shows us what moves people and that they put the economy above cultural iasues, non-violence and inclusion. Germans and Europeans do not have a proper plan on how to guarantee security and prosperity in a post-American age. The indications suggest a storm is imminent, but have we finally heard the thunder?
Prof. Dr. Marc Ratkovic
Professor of Social Data Science
America has chosen to take a step away from liberal democracy, human rights, and basic notions of science and rationality. It now allies with Putin and Orban internationally and its most intolerant groups domestically. Unhindered executive action will follow. Immigrants will be rounded up, placed in camps, and deported; political opponents prosecuted; journalists attacked; Universities defunded. Ukraine will receive no more aid, and the US commitment to NATO is now merely one of convenience. This is known: these were campaign promises.
Please recognize and appreciate the radical nature of this change. America has shed its post-World War II identity, trading a politics that aspired to fairness and equality, however imperfectly, for one that embraces nothing but dominance. It is no longer a country to be admired, or followed, or even heeded. Accepted measures in political science are clear: the Republican Party must be considered as a nuclear-armed Fidesz or AFD, rather than the party of Reagan or Bush you may be used to.
I implore my adopted country: lead on human rights and democracy, do not follow. Do not humor those using inchoate “resentments” to justify destroying a humane, functioning system. Compliment immigrants, appreciate the Deutsche Bahn, cherish your work life balance. Be active in ways large and small. Fight to maintain this kind, decent country.
Prof. Dr. Eckhard Janeba, Professor of Public Finance and Economic Policy, Prof. Dr. Max Reinwald, Assistant Professor in Management and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Schäfer, Professor of American Literary and Cultural Studies, will also comment on the current election results.