25. Neoliberalism and the End of History - Part 7: Human Rights and Voting Rights | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The American voting system is undemocratic and reflects the historical concerns about blacks in America.

Key Insights

• 🌍 The American voting system is considered undemocratic by international standards and would be rejected by the European Court of Justice.
• 💨 Slavery in America played a significant role in the country's prosperity and paved the way for the development of the financial and manufacturing industries.
• 🖤 The criminalization of black life and the re-institution of slavery through incarcerated slave labor have had long-lasting effects on voting rights and representation.
• 👮 Voting laws and restrictions further contribute to the exclusion of marginalized communities from the democratic process.
• 🥳 The dedication of certain political parties to reducing the vote highlights the fear of increased trouble for them when more people participate in elections.
• 👻 Sunday elections, which allow more freedom for people to vote, contrast with the American system, which often schedules elections on workdays, making it difficult for some individuals to vote.
• 🗯️ Historical progress in expanding voting rights, such as women's suffrage, demonstrates that change is possible.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How are candidates selected in the American political system?

In the U.S., elite party managers vet and select candidates, limiting the choices available to citizens. The role of the citizen is reduced to simply voting for pre-selected candidates.

Q: Does the American voting system reflect historical concerns about blacks in America?

Yes, the system of voting in America has its roots in slavery. African Americans were systematically denied voting rights, and after the Civil War, their lives were criminalized, making it impossible for them to participate in the political system.

Q: How has the American voting system maintained inequality?

Harsh voting laws and restrictions, such as barring individuals with felony convictions from voting, disproportionately affect marginalized communities, leading to the exclusion of a large part of the population from the democratic process.

Q: Can the flaws in the American voting system be changed?

Yes, the flaws in the system can be changed. History has shown that progress can be made, as seen with the fight for women's right to vote. However, it requires collective action and advocacy for voting rights reforms.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The American political system is regressive and would be rejected by the European Court of Justice due to its undemocratic nature.

• The U.S. does not have political parties in the same way as Europe, as citizens can only choose candidates pre-selected by elite party managers.

• The voting system in the U.S. reflects the historical concerns about blacks in America, with voting rights being restricted through criminalization and harsh voting laws.