The concept of freedom is central to the American identity, yet how does the reality of American freedom truly measure up against other nations? Examining the structure of its government, pivotal moments in its democratic process like the 2020 election, and comparative global metrics offers a nuanced perspective on How Free Is America Compared To Other Countries.
The United States operates as a republic with a presidential system. Citizens elect a president for a maximum of two four-year terms, who functions as both head of state and head of government. A unique feature of US presidential elections is the Electoral College. In this system, each state is allocated a number of electors based on its congressional representation. Typically, the candidate winning the popular vote in a state receives all of that state’s electoral votes, although Maine and Nebraska employ a district-based allocation method. This Electoral College system can lead to a president being elected without winning the national popular vote, as seen in the elections of 2000 and 2016.
The 2020 presidential election serves as a significant case study in understanding American democracy in practice. Joe Biden secured 306 Electoral College votes to Donald Trump’s 232, and also won the popular vote by over seven million votes. Voter turnout reached historic levels, with approximately two-thirds of eligible voters participating, the highest in over a century.
The context of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly altered voting procedures. Many states expanded access to early and mail-in voting to mitigate crowding at polling places. These changes faced legal challenges, primarily from the Trump campaign and Republicans, who alleged that these measures would increase the risk of voter fraud. Despite these claims, the election proceeded with minimal disruptions. However, pre-existing barriers to voting, such as strict voter ID laws and insufficient polling locations, persisted and contributed to long lines, exacerbated by high turnout and pandemic-related poll worker shortages.
Federal agencies worked with states to protect election infrastructure from foreign interference. Social media platforms, criticized for past failures in preventing foreign disinformation, implemented stronger measures to counter disinformation campaigns. These efforts were largely considered successful. While some foreign actors reportedly attempted to infiltrate voting systems and spread false information online, there was little evidence of significant impact on the election outcome.
Despite widespread agreement among election observers on the transparency and professionalism of the vote count, Donald Trump refused to concede defeat. He demanded recounts and cessation of counting in states where results favored Joe Biden. In the aftermath of the election, Trump repeatedly alleged voter fraud and pressured state election officials, including Republicans, to overturn results in his favor, disregarding facts and legal processes. Election workers faced intimidation and death threats during the vote counting and certification. Numerous lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign, alleging misconduct and challenging electoral rules in an attempt to block certification of Biden’s victory, were almost universally rejected by state and federal courts due to lack of evidence. Despite the absence of evidence of widespread fraud, the Trump campaign’s disinformation, combined with the reluctance of many leading Republicans to acknowledge Biden’s win, convinced a large segment of Trump’s supporters that the election was fraudulent and Biden was not legitimately elected.
Subsequent revelations highlighted further attempts to overturn the election results. These included efforts by the outgoing president and allies to involve the Justice Department and other government agencies in supporting Trump’s fraud claims. A memo from a Trump lawyer suggested that Vice President Mike Pence could prevent Congress from finalizing the Electoral College count. Furthermore, the Trump campaign and Republican activists attempted to put forward illegitimate, pro-Trump slates of electors in states won by Biden.
Trump administration officials and allies also encouraged public resistance to Biden’s victory, coordinating with supporters to spread disinformation and promote “Stop the Steal” rallies. This culminated on January 6, 2021, with a rally near the White House. Following speeches by Trump and others, a large crowd marched to the US Capitol as Congress convened to certify the Electoral College votes. Overwhelmed by the crowd, security forces were breached, and protestors violently entered the Capitol building. Intruders searched for lawmakers, vandalized offices, and occupied the Senate chamber while members were evacuated. The Capitol was secured after several hours with the delayed deployment of the National Guard. Seven deaths were linked to the attack, including a police officer who suffered strokes after confronting rioters, and a protestor shot by police inside the Capitol. Approximately 140 police officers were injured, along with numerous civilians. Around 700 people were arrested on various charges by the end of the year, with ongoing investigations into potential charges for Trump and his key allies.
The events following the 2020 election exposed a division within the Republican party. State-level Republican election officials largely defended the integrity of the election process and the accuracy of the results. However, many Republican members of Congress echoed Trump’s claims and questioned Biden’s victory. During the congressional session to finalize the Electoral College count on January 6-7, while only eight senators objected to state results, 139 of 211 House Republicans supported objections to the count in at least one state.
The January 6th events spurred institutional responses. The House of Representatives impeached Trump for inciting insurrection, with ten Republicans joining Democrats in support. The Senate trial in February resulted in Trump’s acquittal, with 57 senators voting to convict, short of the required 67. In July, a House select committee was established to investigate the January 6th attack and broader efforts to overturn the election. While Democrats initially sought an independent commission, most Senate Republicans blocked this effort. The select committee, joined by two House Republicans, broadly investigated both the events of January 6th and the larger campaign to overturn the election. By year’s end, the committee had interviewed numerous witnesses and issued subpoenas for documents and testimony from Trump administration officials and allies. Republican critics denounced the investigation as partisan, and Trump instructed allies to refuse cooperation citing executive privilege, leading to ongoing court battles.
To directly address how free is America compared to other countries, it’s essential to look beyond isolated events and consider broader metrics. Organizations like Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders provide annual assessments of freedom and democracy worldwide. Freedom House’s “Freedom in the World” report assesses political rights and civil liberties, while Reporters Without Borders’ “World Press Freedom Index” evaluates the level of media freedom. These indices offer comparative data points.
While the US often scores highly in areas like freedom of speech and assembly, its rankings in political rights and civil liberties have shown a declining trend in recent years. Factors contributing to this include increased political polarization, concerns about voter access and election integrity (highlighted by the events of 2020), and issues related to racial and social justice. Compared to other established democracies in Europe and Canada, the US sometimes lags in areas like social safety nets, economic equality, and access to healthcare, factors that can indirectly impact overall freedom and well-being.
However, it’s also crucial to acknowledge the strengths of American democracy. The 2020 election, despite unprecedented challenges, demonstrated the resilience of US institutions. The fact that the election was ultimately certified, and the transfer of power occurred, albeit after significant turmoil, underscores the underlying strength of the democratic framework. Furthermore, the ongoing investigations into the January 6th attack and efforts to overturn the election demonstrate a commitment, albeit contested, to accountability and upholding the rule of law.
In conclusion, how free is America compared to other countries is a complex question with no simple answer. While the US enjoys many freedoms enshrined in its constitution and upheld by its institutions, recent events have revealed vulnerabilities and challenges. Compared to other developed democracies, the US performs strongly in some areas of freedom but faces significant challenges in others. The health of American democracy, and therefore the extent of American freedom, depends on addressing these challenges and reinforcing the institutions and norms that underpin a free and democratic society.
