For a closely divided United States, a coin toss would have sufficed

Despite the political parties’ efforts to position themselves as offering a genuine contrast, the candidates only presented an illusion of choice

The 2024 US presidential election was a close race, with Donald Trump ultimately securing enough Electoral College votes to win. The candidates' stark differences gave the illusion of choice, but in reality, both were trying to capture the voter. Despite the political parties' efforts to present themselves as offering a contrasting vision, the candidates' platforms were largely similar.

The quantitative mechanism of elections isn't a big deal in China. It would be wrong to say it's not there; China does have elections, though only at the lowest local levels. This, I almost want to say after the undignified spectacle in the US, is a genuine blessing.