Editor's note: GMF's Bruce Stokes along with a selection of experts, respond to Judy Dempsey on "Is the U.S. Election a Make or Break for America?"

Maybe.

A Trump victory will harden the U.S. partisan divide. It will further alienate public support for democracy and accelerate the rise of autocracy. Trump feels unconstrained by democratic norms, so anything is possible. Political dysfunction and policy stalemate are unavoidable.

A Biden victory will reverse the tide of authoritarianism. But his promise to bring the country together may be thwarted by racial, nativist, economic, educational, and gender divisions. A vocal, voting minority is unable to deal with the pace of change in American life. How Biden deals with their concerns without endorsing their prejudices will determine whether he can heal the partisan divide. Don’t hold your breath.