Lessons in democracy for the USA from Southern Africa - or, How to lose with dignity

LET’S all take a moment to tip our hats to Southern Africa, where political leaders are calmly handing over power and even - wait for it - conceding elections. Yes, conceding. Recently, Botswana and South Africa have put on a show of democracy so graceful, it’s almost embarrassing. Here, leaders are bowing out, congratulating rivals, and talking about “national unity” as if that’s still a thing. Meanwhile, back in the good ol’ U.S. of A, they’re strapping on helmets for yet another roller-coaster election.

Botswana: So that’s how you lose gracefully

Botswana’s ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), had held onto power for 58 years. So, you’d expect some sort of tantrum when they were finally unseated by the opposition. But not a peep from outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Rather than rant about a “stolen election” or suggest a coup, he graciously accepted defeat, saying, “I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process.” Yes, a real sentence that a politician actually said, aloud, and presumably with a straight face.

Imagine if some power-hungry personalities in the US had that kind of composure. Instead of launching endless conspiracy theories about hacked voting machines, we might see them say something like, “Well, the people have spoken. I guess I’ll get back to real-estating.” But in the US, it seems, they prefer dramatic exits, with all the subtlety of a soap opera finale.

South Africa: When losing means sharing

In South Africa, the ANC didn’t exactly lose, but they did lose their majority. So what did President Cyril Ramaphosa do? Instead of calling the opposition “regressive” or “enemies of the people,” he actually suggested forming a coalition government. He reached across the aisle and asked other political parties to join him in - get this - actually governing the country together. The horror!

Ramaphosa's approach reveals a lost art in the US: placing national interests above party ones. Imagine American leaders pushing their differences aside to focus on, say, health care, education, or climate change. For most of us, it’s easier to imagine them hugging on live TV than collaborating on a bipartisan budget.

The US: Reality TV democracy at its finest

Meanwhile, in the United States, the election is shaping up to be a high-stakes episode of reality television. Former president Donald Trump - our leading expert in the art of refusal - famously continues to insist he didn’t lose in 2020, using language that encourages supporters to “fight” and warns about “rigged” systems. This kind of rhetoric would be amusing if it weren’t actively sowing distrust in democratic institutions, while simultaneously keeping late-night comedians fully employed.

In case you’ve missed it, his refusal to concede has sparked a wave of mistrust that makes elections in the US feel more like cage matches than exercises in democracy. The irony here is thick: while they scold other countries for questionable election practices, the US’s own leaders are out there giving masterclasses on how to divide a nation in 10 easy tweets or less.

Key takeaways: For when the US is ready to try something new

So, what can the US learn from Botswana and South Africa’s recent elections? Here are a few pointers that may sound wild, but bear with me:

Respect election outcomes, even when they hurt: In Botswana, Masisi accepted defeat without calling it a national tragedy. Leaders who acknowledge they’ve lost - without accusing the voting system of sabotage - reinforce trust in the democratic process. It’s quaint, sure, but it seems to work.

Prioritise peaceful transitions over dramatic exits: Botswana and South Africa are showing that a little decorum in political transitions keeps things calm. Maybe it’s because they don’t see losing as the end of the world. Or maybe they just have better sportsmanship.

Put unity before personal agenda: Ramaphosa’s coalition idea is almost alien to American politics. US leaders tend to talk a big game about unity, but the “collaborating” part often gets lost somewhere along the way. It’s like everyone loves the idea of a healthy democracy but only if they’re at the top.

Moving forward: Can the US catch the peaceful transition bug?

Botswana and South Africa’s elections remind us that peaceful transitions aren’t just fairytale endings - they’re achievable. When leaders actually respect the will of the people, they help avoid the type of hyper-polarisation that’s turning American politics into a perpetual conflict. Sure, each country has its own unique political quirks, but maybe - just maybe - the US could get on board with a little dignity in defeat.

Imagine a future where American leaders gracefully accept election outcomes and rally their supporters to do the same. It might sound idealistic, but as Botswana and South Africa remind us, there are countries where this is real life. Until then, at least we’ll have front-row seats to the most entertaining democracy experiment on the planet.