Public Webinar Offers Insights into Post Trump America

At Qatar Foundation, a panel of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) experts discussed “The U.S. Presidential Election and the Future of American Democracy” at a public webinar on January 26, 2021.

As Biden begins his tenure as U.S. president, the ramifications of the unprecedented violence in the U.S. capital and a second impeachment of former president Trump have led many to question whether American democracy itself is at risk. 

According to GU-Q Dean and panel moderator, Dr. Ahmad Dallal, “The recent presidential election, which has been compounded by the effects of an ongoing global pandemic, has been significant in so many ways. Now that we are at the cusp of a new administration, we wanted to bring together our faculty experts to provide context on the election and its aftermath and what it means for local and global policy changes as well as the future of American democracy.”

The discussion covered America’s divided political landscape, racial justice, immigration, President Biden’s policy priorities, and the broader implications for global politics and international relations. 

Panelists included Professor Clyde Wilcox, the author of more than 30 books and hundreds of articles and book chapters, who shared his expertise on democratic norms and the rule of law, and Assistant Professor Amanda Garrett, a specialist in comparative and international politics, who focused on immigration and society.

Assistant Professor Trish Kahle, a scholar in the history of energy, work, and politics in the U.S. and the world, shed light on environmental issues, while Professor Anatol Lieven, whose areas of expertise include terrorism and insurgency, contemporary warfare, and U.S. and Western strategy, offered perspectives on U.S. government and global politics.

The event is a follow-up to GU-Q’s public virtual webinar titled “U.S. Election 2020: Outcomes and Implications in an Era of Uncertainty” which featured the same panel of experts who provided a critical examination of the key issues surrounding one of the most-watched U.S. elections in history.