Why the World is Watching the U.S. Elections?

The fifty-eighth presidential election in the United States will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, and the winner will quickly become one of the most recognized leaders in the world. The importance of the U.S. presidency is not due to personal aspects but because of its command over the strongest military and leadership of the largest economy in the world, making it a significant player in various international arenas. Therefore, the results of the U.S. presidential election are closely monitored around the world, as changes in the country's major policies will have widespread consequences globally. Becoming president in the U.S. is a challenging and lengthy process, partly due to the democratic model and the way the president is elected. Critiques and praises have been directed at this model. According to Ammar Maleki, a political science researcher at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, the political structure and democratic model in the U.S. are among the main reasons for global attention to its elections. He states, "If we see global attention to the U.S. elections, part of it is due to the structure and model of democracy in America, which has five characteristics. The first characteristic is that American democracy is competitive and majority-centric, where the winner takes all, unlike other democracies where power is somewhat distributed among parties. The second characteristic is that the outcome of the presidential election in the U.S. is decisive, meaning there is no need to wait and see what coalition will form or what policies will be made after the election. The third characteristic is the lengthy nature of the elections, which many global media outlets follow. The fourth characteristic is that U.S. presidential elections are candidate-centered rather than party-centered. Candidates are determined through direct votes from the people and party members, but sometimes central forces in parties do not play a role in selecting candidates, as is very evident in this election cycle. Finally, the fifth characteristic is that the nature of the election campaigns in the U.S. is unique and very loud, making it the most expensive election campaign in the world. These characteristics place the structure of American democracy and its electoral system at the center of global public opinion. Since the end of World War II, a significant part of the world economy has been influenced by the U.S. economy. Economic fluctuations in the U.S. can even affect the most remote corners of the world. The financial system, banking system, currency, and stock market of the U.S. constitute the most important and largest economic system. According to Kamran Dadkhah, an economics professor in the U.S., the factors contributing to America's superiority in various economic fields have made the world sensitive to the economic decisions of U.S. presidents. He states, "The U.S. is the largest economy in the world. If its GDP changes, it affects many countries in different regions, including the European Union and South and Central America. The international currency is the U.S. dollar, and this country stands as the economic power behind this currency. This affects all countries and all global exchanges. Today, if something happens in the U.S., it can overshadow the global monetary and financial system and impact all global transactions. On the other hand, the U.S. is considered a major player in many international economic contracts and relations. Therefore, it is not surprising that countries around the world closely monitor the electoral campaigns in the U.S. with concern or interest, as a decision from the new president can impact the entire global economy. The U.S. possesses the strongest military in the world, with annual costs exceeding half a trillion dollars. Factors such as security and national interests are among the main components of its foreign policy. The U.S. military is one of the strongest and most equipped armies globally. The preservation of global peace and the fight against what is termed "international terrorism" are among the priorities of U.S. foreign policy. According to Arash Aramesh, a national security analyst in the U.S., due to America's significant role in global security, the election of a president who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces is not overlooked by any country in the world. This analyst believes, "The United States, not only as the most powerful country in the world but also as a political, economic, and military leader, holds special importance as a unique block or the Western block. Any tremor in this country can have many negative repercussions worldwide. In terms of political and economic stability in the U.S. and the practical stability that America has in its commitments, contracts, and international treaties, America's global competitors also know that a firm step stands behind these commitments. Now, if someone becomes the president of the U.S. and does not adhere to these international commitments, for example, saying that the U.S. will no longer support its allies in NATO or that it will no longer support allies like Japan and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, these actions undermine America's international commitments. Such actions are monitored by America's rivals and enemies worldwide and will have political, military, and security repercussions. One of the important goals of international organizations in the present century is to achieve global peace, collective security, and serve human societies in all aspects of life. Today's global movements are unimaginable without international organizations, and a significant part of the driving force of international organizations is due to America's active presence or financial and logistical support to them. According to Akbar Mahdi, a social sciences professor in the U.S., if a president in the U.S. decides to reduce or cut ties with international organizations, the consequences will disrupt global order. "The U.S. is a large country that is present in all international institutions, from the United Nations to UNICEF, the International Labor Organization, and the World Bank. In every area you consider, the U.S. plays an active role. Also, a series of public welfare works, such as combating disease outbreaks in Africa and other parts of the world, are carried out with America's significant presence in these institutions. If we encounter a president who is not very interested in engaging with the modern world and restricts the doors of the country to those who want to immigrate or trade with the U.S., it will disrupt the global game order. The actions taken in the U.S. significantly impact international relations and particularly affect social, political, and cultural domains. The U.S. has a close relationship with UNESCO and provides substantial funding to this organization. The country is active in various programs of this organization in other countries to familiarize them with the rules of democracy as it understands it. The U.S. also has a close relationship with the Peace Corps of the United Nations, which goes to various parts of the world. These relationships can all be disrupted, and it is important that the president who takes office in the U.S. is one who accepts the existing rules of the game or disrupts them. If disrupted, in what direction and for whose interests will this be done? In today's world, there are countless and very complex issues whose resolution or exacerbation depends on the decisions of key global players. The U.S., as the most influential country in global equations, stands at the top of this pyramid. Given this position, one can understand why the U.S. presidential election is important for the global community.