Democracy the loser in US vote

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton (L) and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump arrive before the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Sunday, Oct 9, 2016. [Photo/IC]

The result of the US presidential election will be known soon, but no matter who wins, it will not be a victory for democracy.

The poorly contrived tactics employed by the two parties for the nomination of their respective candidates, as well as the slurs used by Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump against each other in their debates have exposed the "nasty aspects" of US democracy.

To ensure Clinton's successful nomination, Bernie Sanders was sacrificed by the Democratic Party.

Within the Republican Party some big-wigs openly expressed views to Trump's disadvantage and even extended support to Clinton.

Worse, Clinton's email scandal and claims that she is in poor health along with the sexual harassment accusations against Trump, as well as emotive and extremist opinions and undisguised personal attacks have reduced the US presidential race to a chaotic political farce in many people's eyes.

This should be attributed to the deeply rooted malaise in US society. Many ordinary people in the US are yet to benefit from its economic recovery after the financial crisis and structural problems are widening the gap between the rich and poor, leaving the younger generation particularly bewildered.

And US President Barack Obama's eight-year rule has not fundamentally eased the contradictions in US society, failing to meet his promises to bring in changes.

Instead, the contradictions among races, generations, genders, regions and classes have been exacerbated. It is the pervasive sense of anger, anxiety and pessimism among people in the US, along with the prevalence of isolationism, protectionism and populism that have contributed to Trump's political rise.

Such problems plaguing the US have resulted from its sluggish action to push forward institutional reforms on such issues as immigration, gun control, tax and education. The new US president still has to tackle these thorny issues.