How Elections and Wars Changed the Global Order

• 2024 was a year of unprecedented global activity, marked by elections across over 70 countries and conflicts that reshaped the global order.

• Voters expressed frustration with the incumbents, while wars escalated humanitarian crises and geopolitical tensions.

• Here’s a look at the year that was.

A Year of Elections: 2024

2024 was the largest election year in history, with a remarkable number of elections taking place across the globe:

• Over 70 countries have conducted elections in 2024 with around 2 billion eligible voters - a quarter of the world’s population.

• The U.S. presidential election was the most high-profile election this year, and it saw the re-election of Donald Trump.

• India held the largest election, with over 950 million eligible voters.

• Russia held the most controversial election with Vladimir Putin winning over 87% of the vote amidst allegations of electoral suppression.

These elections highlight a global trend toward increased political participation.

Challenging Incumbents: A Global Trend

The 2024 elections revealed a pronounced trend against incumbents across various regions:

• Donald Trump defeated incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, marking the third consecutive election where the incumbent party lost.

• This allowed Republicans to regain control of both houses of Congress.

• In the United Kingdom, the Labour Party achieved a decisive victory, ending 14 years of Conservative rule - a significant shift in British politics.

• In South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a majority for the first time since apartheid ended.

• The ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Japan lost its parliamentary majority amid economic dissatisfaction and demographic challenges.

These results underscore a growing anti-incumbent sentiment that has reshaped political scenarios worldwide.

A Year of Right-Wing Leaders?

Right-wing leaders made notable gains in 2024, influencing electoral outcomes across several nations:

• Trump's victory represented a significant comeback for conservatives in the U.S.

• His victory strengthened the position of the ‘Make America Great Again (MAGA)‘ movement in American politics.

• Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first far-right party to win a state election since WWII, capitalizing on anti-immigration sentiments.

• Right-wing movements gained traction from India to Latin America, as leaders appealed to national identity and economic grievances.

• Voter sentiments increasingly aligned with cultural issues and reflected heightened tensions over immigration and social policies.

These developments show how right-wing politics has become a mainstay within various political landscapes.

Internal Conflicts and Global Instability

Wars and geopolitical tensions dominated headlines in 2024, influencing elections and redefining alliances:

• Ukraine-Russia War: Over 1 million dead or wounded and a prolonged stalemate strained relations between Russia and the West, while debates over aid divided public opinion in the U.S. and Europe.

• Israel-Hamas War: Escalating since late 2023, the conflict caused over 45,000 deaths and displaced 1.9 million people.

• Syria: A dramatic rebel offensive ousted President Bashar al-Assad, ending over 50 years of family rule but exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

• Sudan: A civil war between the SAF and RSF displaced 12 million people and created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

These conflicts exposed the limitations of international institutions like the United Nations, whose inability to mediate effectively underscored the fragility of the global order.

Our Thoughts

• 2024 was a year of reckoning for democracies and global stability. Economic hardships, ideological polarization, and conflicts dominated the year.

• As we step into 2025, the question remains: will these divisions deepen further

• One thing is certain though: the events of 2024 have set the stage for a transformative era in global politics.

Community:

📊 Last Week’s Poll: What do you think is responsible for school shootings in the United States?

News Worthy:

#1 — Biden commutes most federal death row sentences to life in prison before Trump takes office ✒️

#2 — US to lift $10M bounty on de facto Syrian leader's head 💰 

#3 — Donald Trump’s son Eric posts about the president-elect buying Canada on Amazon 🇨🇦 

Personal Updates From Gen:

Hey Guys! I just want to say thank you to each one of you for reading Bridging The Bias this year. I am proud of the community we have built here. We will keep bringing bigger and more impactful stories for you in 2025, with none of the bias.

And just like every year, I am sharing my Year-End Goals Template that I used to grow to more than 500K subs this year. This template will surely help you stay accountable to your goals.

Get it here for free:

And on that note, happy new year to you all!

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