And so here it is: the day America has been awaiting for four years with bated breath. The final act, either of Donald Trump's career, or perhaps of American democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. itself.

This morning, it is Trump who seems to have triumphed, leaving America's democratic future hanging in the balance.

The two candidates went into the election almost neck-and-neck in the polls. But it seems they underestimated Trump for a third electoral cycle, as key battleground states that had deserted him for Biden in 2020 came back into the Republican fold.

Women of colour vote in overwhelming numbers for the Democrats at every election, but white women generally split more or less evenly between the parties.

This time, however, outraged by Republicans' attacks on abortion rights in recent years, they were expected to come out in massive numbers for Harris. 

We will know in the coming days whether or not this happened, but for now it seems clear any gain in support among white women was cancelled out by the desertion of other important voters.

Will this election revive democracy?

Yes! Trump's victory can only make Americans who oppose him more concerned for the state of US democracy.

No! The election has proved Americans care less about democracy than they do inflation and immigration.