US elections

Why the U.S. Election is a Marathon, Not a Sprint!

Ever wondered why U.S. elections take so long? Let’s dive into the wacky world of campaign timelines, dollar signs, and international comparisons!

The United States' electoral process can feel like an endless saga, stretching over a year or more, with candidates crisscrossing the nation, shaking hands, and delivering speeches in every corner. One of the biggest contributors to this lengthy campaign season is, you guessed it, money. Unlike many countries worldwide where there are strict caps on campaign financing, U.S. candidates operate in a completely different ballpark. This lack of restrictions means that candidates can essentially fundraise indefinitely, leading to prolonged campaigns that can seem to last an eternity.

Countries like Belgium, Britain, and France take a more streamlined approach, imposing limits on spending which helps condense their electoral process into a shorter timeframe. Candidates in these nations often have a more defined budget, pushing them to be more strategic about their campaigning efforts and keeping the electoral races from dragging on for too long. The contrast highlights not just different political systems, but different cultural attitudes toward political engagement and public funding.

Beyond the mechanics of campaign duration, business sentiment plays a crucial role in U.S. elections, as it does globally. Ahead of the elections, organizations like AmCham Japan gather insights from local businesses regarding their thoughts on U.S. policies and their potential impacts. As Christopher LaFleur, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan notes, the outcome of elections can ripple across the globe, influencing trade, investments, and economic planning. Business owners watch closely, as they understand that U.S. decisions reverberate throughout the markets they operate in.

In this interconnected world, a U.S. election can be a titanic event, impacting not just Americans but businesses and economies around the world. It's a reminder of how carefully watching campaign narratives can have unforeseen consequences internationally. Did you know that the average campaign spending in the 2020 U.S. presidential election exceeded $6.6 billion? And while other countries have managed to keep their races short and sweet, the U.S. finds itself trapped in the campaign ad treadmill, where electoral seasons never really seem to end!