Commentary: Trump's rise is fall of U.S. democracy

With Donald Trump leading the race for Republican nomination, the U.S. presidential election has become an entertaining drama that illustrates the malfunction of the self-claimed world standard of democracy.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said in a recent article: "Trump's rise does illustrate how democratic processes can lose their way and turn dangerously toxic when there is intense economic frustration and widespread apprehension about the future."

Indeed, this is an election that challenges convention and goes against common sense and logic.

Trump, a political outsider with brash personality and multiple social status including wealthy real estate mogul, beauty contest boss and gambling house giant, has gained popularity, while those career politicians with rich political experience and robust style are losing ground.

The fact itself is a vivid proof of the malfunction of the U.S. democracy, as people would not choose a president who is responsible to lead the country, but to vent their grievance and anger over the reality on government and politicians.

The rise of Trump may also be a reflection of difficult economic recovery and the decline of the U.S. geopolitical power.

Since the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. economy has been hit gravely, and has yet to recover to the pre-crisis level during Barack Obama's presidency.

On the contrary, the widening wealth gap, the negative employment situation and the influx of illegal migrants all have made the government powerless and ordinary people disappointed.

A Gallup poll released in January showed that only 44 percent of U.S. adults said they are financially better off than they were a year ago, while 35 percent said things were getting worse.

Moreover, against the backdrop of a changing global geopolitical landscape, Washington's superpower status has been constantly challenged, leading to a sense of frustration and anxiety among the Americans.

Trump's remarks resonate with his supporters as they are disappointed at the Obama administration's performance in terms of both domestic and foreign policy.

It is not a surprise to see that Trump's ridiculous anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim statements were popular among supporters as the most troublesome issues for Americans, according to a survey, are the Democratic White House and the Republican-led Congress, rather than the economy. Endi