<div>For all its showboating as the world&rsquo;s &ldquo;oldest democracy&rdquo;, the US currently has a tenuous hold on the concept. Why else would outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris feel compelled to assure their successors, Donald Trump and his team, of a peaceful handover?&nbsp;</div>
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<div>In most democracies&mdash;especially in the US&mdash;a peaceful transfer of power is typically taken for granted. The need for explicit assurances is deeply concerning, a chilling reminder of the fragility of the country&rsquo;s democratic institutions. The fact that the Pentagon chief had to press the military to ensure a smooth transition to Trump underscores the gravity of the situation.</div>
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<div>It&rsquo;s not just about a smooth transfer of power. Harris also urged Democratic voters to accept the election results, amid fears of possible violence from the losing side.&nbsp;</div>
<div>Can you recall any outgoing leader in another democratic country making such statements? Just recently, when the Labour Party won the United Kingdom&rsquo;s election and Keir Starmer was set to be sworn in as Prime Minister, did outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak feel the need to assure his successor of a peaceful transition? The answer is a resounding &ldquo;No&rdquo;.</div>
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<div>Such an assurance would have been unheard of, even in the US even a decade ago.</div>
<div>So what changed? Why now?</div>
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<div>The short answer? January 6, 2021. The Capitol Hill attack happened. Trump lost his re-election bid, and his supporters stormed the Capitol, hoping to bring down the democratically elected Biden before he was even sworn in.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Around the world, political leaders and parties are increasingly turning into cults, with leaders seen as cult figures. Fans and followers, charged up during election campaigns, often struggle to accept their leaders&rsquo; defeat, sometimes even resorting to lawlessness. This creates significant challenges for incoming parties attempting to take office smoothly.</div>
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<div>Democratic countries are slowly sliding toward authoritarianism, where pluralism is shrinking, and acceptance of opposing viewpoints or political rivals is diminishing. What happened at the Capitol in 2021 should not become a trend in other democracies. Nor should the assurances that President Biden and Vice President Harris felt compelled to offer Donald Trump and his team set a global precedent.</div>

USA President Joe Biden and President elect Donald Trump

Supporters can find it hard to accept their leaders’ losses

Fragile democracy: When peaceful transfers can no longer be assumed

Supporters can find it hard to accept their leaders’ losses

November 8, 2024 | 17:58 IST