The Monocle Minute

I’m no subscriber of survivalist magazine Recoil OffGrid but its editors have come up with a remarkable cover story this month: “America divided: How to prepare for civil unrest”. An illustration shows a heavily armed civilian staring out at the needle of the Washington Monument, where plumes of smoke can be seen rising into the air. Recoil OffGrid isn’t known for seeing the bright side of life – past cover features have included “Revolvers for deep concealment” – but this story does nonetheless speak to a profound anxiety about next week’s election.

“Will there be violence?” an American woman asked me on a plane to New York the other day – as if I, a foreigner, might be better placed to discern her country’s future. “So, you want to witness a civil war up close,” said one risk analyst upon learning that Monocle was decamping to Washington to broadcast radio programmes on election day. He was joking, of course. Or was he? A recent poll by the Associated Press-Norc Center for Public Affairs Research found that four in 10 Americans were “extremely” or “very” concerned that there would be violent attempts to overturn the result.

It’s extraordinary that, just six months ago, many were talking about a “double-haters” election in which voters were turned off by both potential candidates. Now people are worried that citizens might take up arms in the name of politics. Admittedly, we have had a change at the top of one ticket and the other candidate has faced two assassination attempts. Earlier this week ballot boxes were set on fire in Washington state. Given their country’s long history of political violence, Americans are right to be anxious.

But let’s not lose our heads just yet. In response to my nervous seatmate’s question, I replied that much had been done to shore up the system. Authorities and law enforcement all over this country have been preparing for the coming election since 6 January 2021, when rioters stormed the Capitol. Police and poll officials have been trained to identify and deal with electoral threats; civil-society groups have been mobilised to counter disinformation. This election will almost certainly not be neatly wrapped up by Wednesday morning but the system is stronger than some headlines suggest.

Christopher Lord is Monocle’s US editor. As we gear up to election day Monocle Radio’s correspondents stationed in Washington and Atlanta will be broadcasting live with the latest updates and in-depth analysis as the results unfold. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.

Once reliably Democratic, the Silver State’s evolving electorate – bolstered by a growing Latino base – has made its six electoral votes a prize for both sides. Donald Trump was in Henderson yesterday, trying to rally support. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris launched an ad campaign at the hi-tech Las Vegas Sphere; the 90-second commercial was the first political advert to be broadcast on what is, at 53,884 sq m, the world’s largest screen.

Beyond the gimmicks, more granular issues are taking centre stage in Nevada. The state’s pandemic-battered, tourism-dependent economy is in urgent need of a boost, while housing affordability and access to healthcare are also weighing on voters’ minds. Water scarcity has become a key topic too, as Nevada contends with diminishing supplies from the Colorado river. The stakes here are as high as the desert temperatures and the candidates are neck and neck in the polls. Who will hit the jackpot?

European leaders are increasingly looking to Africa as they seek solutions to issues ranging from fossil-fuel supply to migration. This week, Emmanuel Macron spent three days in Morocco, hoping to repair long-strained relations between France and the former protectorate. He brought with him a large delegation of 120 people; among them were his economy minister, Antoine Armand, and French-Moroccan comedian Yassine Belattar.

Also present were representatives of France’s technology sector, including executives from agri-tech company Mycophyto and sustainability-focused NetZero, which wants to make biochar out of materials such as cashew shells and coffee husks. According to French officials, contracts signed during the state visit were worth more than €10bn in total for both sides. Macron’s trip follows those of Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, who was in West Africa over the summer after a trip to the Maghreb earlier in the year, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, who recently completed her fourth visit to Libya since taking office.

California-based sportswear label Vuori is making a major investment in UK retail, opening its first international flagship on London’s Regent Street. The shop, spanning almost 370 sq m, features plenty of natural materials such as marble, quartz and washed oak. On display you’ll find the label’s full performance-wear collections, from technical leggings to down jackets designed for outdoor adventures.

Entrepreneur Joe Kudia founded Vuori in 2015, initially running it from his garage. Known for its high-performance fabrics, mostly made using organic cotton and recycled nylon, it went on to raise almost €370m in investment in 2021 and attained a valuation of €3.6bn. The brand is now using those funds to expand its range and open outposts on some of the busiest shopping streets across the globe. Its success is a sign of shifting dynamics in the sportswear market, which has long been dominated by the likes of Lululemon, Nike and Adidas.

Last Sunday, in an event that could only have been sparked by the internet, a group of Timothée Chalamet lookalikes gathered in New York’s Washington Square Park to compete for the coveted title of the actor’s best doppelgänger. With cheekbones sharper than a Gucci blazer and Chalamet’s signature tousled hairstyle, about 20 young men channelled the French-American movie star known for films such as Dune and Wonka. Spectators crowded the park, drawn by whispers of a surprise guest – who was revealed to be none other than the real Chalamet. The top prize went to a purple-caped Wonka who threw sweets into the crowd from a briefcase. The winner received a modest $50 (€46) cheque, a golden trophy and some pretty odd bragging rights.

We are using the upcoming US election to put a spotlight on American cities and the challenges they face. We discuss housing struggles, how to get around, the changing world of work, the resulting state of downtown cores and how apps are altering our urban fabric.