As November 5 approaches, our correspondents in the United States answer your questions about the election.

Do you think the election result could cause unrest or has the United States learned its lesson?

Gary, Kilmarnock

American correspondent Mark Stone said…

We hear the term “civil war” way too much these days here in America.

As uncomfortable as it may seem, we are not there yet. That’s the good news.

But we are now in an area where something once considered impossible in modern America is now being considered. The tensions and concerns in America today run deep.

The nation is divided. There is also a divide between urban and rural areas. Nothing really new there. But it’s deeper now.

The nation is also compartmentalized. The different parties do not trust each other; they don’t listen to everyone’s points of view.

It may be easy to miss this deep societal divide, precisely because of the country’s compartmentalized nature. It’s only as an outsider, living here, looking inward and having conversations across the spectrum, that I notice this deep mess.

We do not trust the major American media, which have become deeply partisan. “I get my news online” is a phrase I hear all the time. It’s not healthy.

The institutions that serve as safeguards are creaking, some would say compromised.

One of the two candidates in this election is systematically undermining the electoral process and the judicial process, sowing doubt among his supporters. All of this was dangerous even before Donald Trump propelled himself within inches of the White House again.

During Mr. Trump’s last presidency, the institutions that serve as the safeguards for maintaining a democracy — such as the courts, the military and state officials — held firm.

The danger this time is that a victorious Donald Trump will only hire those civil servants who are fully loyal to him. He made it clear. Also remember that the power of the American presidency under a president who does not care about the law is enormous.

Some experts say America has already entered a zone where it is no longer a full-fledged democracy. It’s not an autocracy, but in a middle area they call it an “anocracy” because of an erosion of some of the key pillars.

This is the important context in which the question of “civil war” must be considered.

The outcome of this election will almost certainly be very close. Recounts and allegations of fraud (aggravated on Trump’s side by fueled distrust) are very likely.

A narrow victory for Harris would likely invite accusations of fraud from Trump.

These would be considered by courts he has already undermined and perhaps then elevated to the highest court – the Supreme Court – which he staffed with his aligned justices during his last term.

We all remember the nightmare of January 6 at the Capitol. A dress rehearsal? Let’s hope not. But the prospect of unrest at various state Capitol buildings, where Trump-aligned politicians hold key positions, is real.

Another scenario: Trump wins, perhaps comfortably. Then, the danger lies in protests – which could turn violent – ​​from the left who could react against Mr. Trump’s policies, which they would see as a slide towards authoritarianism.

So, do I think the election result has the potential to cause unrest? Yes. Has the United States learned its lesson? No.