Critique of the 2024 US Presidential Election

The article on the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) delves deeply into the escalating crisis within the US political establishment, framing the current presidential election cycle as a manifestation of deeper imperialist contradictions and the ruling class's drive toward authoritarianism and war. Titled something along the lines of a critique of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and the Harris-Walz ticket, it argues that the 2024 election is not a genuine democratic exercise but a facade masking the bipartisan consensus on war, austerity, and the suppression of the working class. The piece begins by contextualizing the DNC, set to convene in Chicago amid massive protests against US support for Israel's actions in Gaza, as a stage-managed event designed to rally support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, while concealing the Democrats' complicity in genocide and imperial aggression.

The authors assert that Harris's nomination represents a continuation of the Biden administration's policies, which have funneled billions into the Ukraine proxy war against Russia, escalated tensions with China, and enabled Israel's military campaign in Gaza, resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths. They highlight how the Democratic Party has systematically suppressed anti-war voices within its ranks, pointing to the exclusion of Palestinian-American delegates and the rejection of any platform planks condemning Israel's actions. The article draws historical parallels to the 1968 DNC in Chicago, where police violently repressed anti-Vietnam War protesters, suggesting that similar repression could unfold in 2024, given the presence of over 4,000 police officers and National Guard troops prepared to confront demonstrators. It criticizes the role of figures like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat with pseudo-left credentials, who is overseeing the crackdown on protests while claiming progressive bona fides.

A significant portion of the analysis focuses on Tim Walz, portrayed not as the "progressive" everyman the media depicts, but as a reliable servant of US imperialism. The article recounts Walz's military background, including his service in the National Guard during the Iraq War era, and his gubernatorial record in Minnesota, where he deployed troops to suppress the 2020 protests following George Floyd's murder. It accuses him of facilitating corporate interests, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic when he prioritized business reopenings over public health, leading to unnecessary deaths. The piece argues that Walz's selection is strategic, aimed at appealing to Midwestern voters while ensuring loyalty to the military-intelligence apparatus. Harris, similarly, is critiqued for her prosecutorial past in California, where she oversaw mass incarceration, and her foreign policy stances, including unwavering support for NATO's expansion and Israel's "right to defend itself."

The article expands into a broader Marxist critique of capitalism, asserting that both the Democrats and Republicans represent factions of the ruling elite, united in their commitment to defending American imperialism amid its global decline. It points to the economic underpinnings: skyrocketing inflation, mounting debt, and the transfer of wealth to the top 1 percent through mechanisms like the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing. The authors argue that the election is rigged against the working class, with neither party addressing the real issues of poverty, healthcare, education, or climate change. Instead, the Democrats are channeling discontent into identity politics and anti-Russian hysteria, while Republicans under Trump veer toward fascist demagogy.

In detailing the international ramifications, the piece warns of the risk of nuclear escalation in Ukraine, citing recent US approvals for long-range missile strikes into Russian territory and the involvement of NATO forces. It connects this to the Gaza conflict, describing it as a US-backed genocide aimed at securing Middle Eastern dominance and countering Iranian influence. The article condemns the silence of trade unions and pseudo-left organizations, which it says are integrated into the Democratic Party apparatus and have abandoned any pretense of class independence. It references the role of figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who endorse Harris despite her right-wing policies, as evidence of the bankruptcy of reformism.

The analysis extends to the domestic social crisis, highlighting the opioid epidemic, homelessness, and police violence as symptoms of a decaying capitalist system. It argues that the ruling class is preparing for mass repression, as seen in the bipartisan support for anti-protest laws and surveillance expansions. The article calls for the building of an independent socialist movement among workers and youth, rejecting both parties and advocating for international unity against war and austerity. It invokes the Trotskyist tradition, urging readers to join the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and support its presidential candidate, Joseph Kishore, as the only genuine alternative.

Throughout, the piece is laced with references to historical events, such as the US-backed coups in Latin America and the Middle East, to illustrate the continuity of imperialist policy. It critiques the corporate media's role in manufacturing consent, portraying outlets like The New York Times and CNN as propaganda arms that whitewash Democratic war crimes while amplifying anti-Trump narratives to divert from systemic issues. The authors predict that regardless of the election outcome—whether Harris wins through electoral manipulation or Trump stages a comeback—the result will be intensified attacks on democratic rights and escalation toward world war.

In a particularly detailed section, the article examines the economic motivations behind US foreign policy, noting how the military-industrial complex profits from endless wars, with companies like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin reaping billions from arms sales to Ukraine and Israel. It ties this to the domestic economy, where workers face wage stagnation and job losses due to automation and offshoring, exacerbated by the Democrats' failure to pass meaningful labor reforms. The piece also addresses the environmental catastrophe, blaming capitalist profit motives for inaction on climate change, and warns that wars over resources like oil and rare earth minerals will accelerate global warming.

Ultimately, the article serves as a call to action, emphasizing that the working class must break from the two-party system and organize independently on a socialist program. It argues that the contradictions of capitalism are reaching a breaking point, with potential for revolutionary upheavals if channeled correctly. By exposing the illusions promoted by the Democrats, the piece aims to educate and mobilize readers toward building a mass anti-war movement rooted in international socialism. This comprehensive critique spans domestic politics, international relations, and economic analysis, painting a picture of a ruling class in crisis, desperately clinging to power through deception and violence. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full World Socialist Web Site Article at:
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/08/18/thwc-a18.html