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EXPERT COMMENT

Can the actions of corporate America in the recent US presidential election inspire genuine global action on civil society space in 2021?

In America, business leaders are no strangers to elections, whether contributing to and endorsing candidates, or trying to influence positions that may translate into policy. But the electoral process itself and its outcomes were largely taken for granted until the recent presidential election, when many felt compelled to make unprecedented statements supporting first the process, and then the outcome.

But can such a strong response by business to the pressures on the society in which they operate go further in 2021, and translate into action in support of civil society space at a time when it is fast deteriorating around the world?

In the run up to the US election, Donald Trump’s questioning of the mail-in balloting, attempts to restrict funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS), assertions the process was ‘rigged’, and refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, all stoked uncertainty and anxiety over the conduct of the election and the acceptance of its results – a concern shared by CEOs who identified with either or neither party.

Business leaders from the technology, finance, retail, and hospitality sectors were provoked to speak out on 14 October with the statement ‘America Has Held Successful Elections Amidst Crises Before. We Can and Must Do So Again'. But missing were the major corporate and Wall Street signatories – the big beasts of the American business jungle.

The call went out that ‘more CEOs must stand up to protect our democracy’, and one of the biggest beasts of all – JP Morgan Chase CEO, Jamie Dimon – felt compelled on 22 October to affirm what had always been taken for granted by saying: ‘The peaceful transfer of power – whether it is to the second administration of a president or a new one – is a hallmark of America’s 244 year-old history as an independent nation’.

Click here to continue reading the full version of this Expert Comment on the Chatham House website.