EXPERT ADVISORY – November 5, 2024 – R0133

Brock University Political Science experts are available to comment on the U.S. election in terms of American politics, Canada’s trade relationships with the U.S. and wider geopolitical effects stemming from the outcome.

Associate Professor Paul Hamilton says people around the world will likely be “glued to their screens” as the election results begin to roll in because the consequences of the presidential election will be “enormous” not only for the U.S. but also for countries around the world.

He also says people should pay attention to races further down the ballot.

“There has been less attention paid to the congressional elections, but those will determine the policy-making latitude of the next president,” says Hamilton. “The very strength of America’s democratic institutions may be tested in the coming weeks and months — and this will be even more contentious if there is a discrepancy between the popular vote and the electoral college vote.”

Associate Professor Stefan Dolgert says that “regardless of the actual outcome of the election, the U.S. will be in a democratic death spiral for at least the next decade” due to the current organization of the U.S. political system.

“The antiquated constitutional structure of the United States over-represents white, rural voters, many of whom are fearful of the emerging multiracial democracy that the U.S. is becoming, and who therefore will support fascists like Donald Trump to preserve what they see as their traditional birthright — political dominance,” he says.

Dolgert, whose expertise is in the history of political thought as well as in the construction of contemporary institutions, says he uses the term “fascist” intentionally, based on the definition of the term. He also notes he isn’t alone in invoking that definition, with even Trump’s former chief of staff now using the term to describe him.

Brock University Associate Professors of Political Science Paul Hamilton and Stefan Dolgert are available for media interviews on this topic.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

*Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University sackles@brocku.ca or 289-241-5483

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