America’s Strength Does not Come from its Politicians

By Kai Abbott  

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(Source: Getty Images)

It is hard to imagine that most Americans walked with a spring in their step to the polls this past election day. A testament to the past eight years of politics in the United States—years fraught with uncertainty and insurrections—the latest race for the Oval Office became less a hopeful exercise in choosing the best candidate than a task of weighing the lesser of two evils. Our choice between a populist movement and an out-of-touch establishment seemed a far cry from the composed and well-spoken statesmen of the past. 

In conversations with peers, family, and friends, I’ve heard people passionately debate their preferred candidates, each side sure theirs would have led or will lead the nation to prosperity while the other spelled certain disaster. I believe the investment in the power of a single politician to steer America’s course to “greatness” may miss a larger point: our enduring strength lies beyond solely Washington, and almost 250 years of American history reflects this sentiment.

Faults in leadership are by no means unique to the present. In fact, it’s an American tradition. The Know-Nothing Party of the mid-19th century swept into power on the back of xenophobia, while Tammany Hall in New York openly bought and sold votes like stocks on Wall Street. Foreign powers must have looked at our boisterous young republic with contempt and skepticism, especially as our first attempt at government under the Articles of Confederation fell apart. And if our Founding Fathers did not always inspire admiration abroad, neither did John Adams’ Alien and Sedition Acts, which sparked outrage at home and illustrated that even well-intentioned leaders could go astray. Presently, a handful of recent crises—take the unbalanced response to COVID-19 or the growing fentanyl epidemic—and the inability for politicians to rightly manage them echo these missteps. 

Yet, America continues to move forward. The truth is, the country’s progress has never been owed solely to our leaders, which is displayed by the countless failures of our politicians throughout history. Instead, the country's growth and adaptations often hinge on the efforts of its people, who continue to innovate even when those in power falter. Perhaps no one knew this fact better than the Founding Fathers, who understood the limitations of leadership and crafted a system which anticipated dodgy rulers. Figures like Madison or Hamilton did not trust that a nation could depend on a perpetual line of virtuous statesmen. Instead, they established a government designed to balance power among three branches of government which could withstand the inevitable human flaws of those who lead it. 

This pattern is evident not only across our past but also today. Despite the divide of “Blue” and “Red” America, we see the same deeply American spirit. While staunchly Republican Texas welcomed the Shale Revolution that spurred the US’ energy independence and continues to spearhead humanity’s journey to Mars, liberal California spurred the Information Revolution and pushed the boundaries of artificial intelligence, surpassing global competition in all regards. It’s difficult to imagine these achievements arising from a room of technocrats in suits, sipping coffee and brainstorming policy ideas. And while Red Florida and Blue New York could not be more politically divided, the integration and successes of immigrants from all over world wasn’t orchestrated entirely from above but grew from grassroots ingenuity and a willingness to take risks. Whether it be optimism or plain delusion, or the sheer lack of political oversight in certain fields, this unmatched drive outpaces almost every other nation.

In spite of this, elections hold undeniable importance, and issues such as personal freedoms, the consolidation of executive power, border control, and deepening wealth inequality are pressing. However, assumptions in our community over the perceived events of the coming presidency—and the overwhelming despair or overzealous exuberance that may accompany them—feed into the notion that our leaders are the sole deciders of our collective fate. 

Besides the obvious inability to solve seemingly correctable national issues, Democrats and Republicans share more similarities than differences. Beyond policy disputes, there is a shared drive and ambition that has pushed Americans for centuries, a force that transcends partisan divides. This shared spirit unites us all, and it is this unity that our nation’s resilience truly lies on.