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In the run-up to November 5, our U.S. correspondents are answering 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 says…

We hear the term “civil war” far too often in America these days.

As uncomfortable as it is, we’re not there. This is good news.

However, we now live in a world where something that was once considered impossible in modern America is being contemplated. Tensions and unrest in America today run deep.

The nation is divided. There is also an urban-rural divide. There’s nothing new there. But now it goes deeper.

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

Perhaps it is easy to overlook this deep social breakdown precisely because of the isolated nature of the country. It’s only as an outsider, living here, looking in and having conversations across the spectrum, that I notice this deep mess.

America’s mainstream media is distrusted and has become deeply biased. “I get my news online” is a phrase I hear all the time. This is not healthy.

The institutions that serve as balancing guards are creaking and some say they are under threat.

One of the two candidates in this election has consistently undermined the electoral and judicial process, sowing doubt among his supporters. All of this was dangerous even before Donald Trump came within an inch of the White House again.

During Trump’s last presidency, the institutions that serve as guardrails to democracy – such as the courts, the military, and state officials – persisted.

This time there is a danger that the victorious Donald Trump will hire only those officials who are fully loyal to him. He made that clear. Remember, too, that the power of the American presidency under a president who doesn’t care about the law is enormous.

Some experts claim that America has already entered a zone where it is no longer a full-fledged democracy. It is not an autocracy, but in the middle zone it is called an “anocracy” due to the erosion of some key pillars.

This is an important context in which the issue of “civil war” should be considered.

This election result will almost certainly be very close. Reports and claims of fraud (intensified by lack of trust on Trump’s part) are very likely.

A narrow victory for Harris would likely trigger fraud accusations against Trump.

They will be scrutinized by the courts he has already undermined, and perhaps then elevated to the highest court – the Supreme Court – which has filled its last term with equated justices.

We all remember the January 6 nightmare at the Capitol. Dress rehearsal? Let’s hope not. However, the prospect of unrest in Capitol buildings in various states where Trump’s politicians hold key positions is real.

Another scenario: Trump wins, perhaps comfortably. Then there is the danger of protests – which could turn violent – from the left, who may react to Trump’s policies which they see as a move towards authoritarianism.

So do I think the election result could cause unrest? Yes. Has the US learned its lessons? NO.