The election of Barack Obama as the next president of the United States has generated enormous excitement in the Caribbean region and around the globe. The world's oldest democracy has once again shown that it is vibrant and healthy. More than 120 million Americans cast their votes, the most in our history, and the percentage of people who voted was the highest in many years. And we feel honoured that our exercise of democracy has inspired others beyond our shores.

The voting into office of the first African-American president makes this a particularly special election. For many Americans, it means overcoming the stain of slavery and racism in our history, and a realisation of our long-held ideals of equality. President Bush said of the American people on November 5, "They chose a president whose journey represents a triumph of the American story - a testament to hard work, optimism, and faith in the enduring promise of our nation."

Declaration of Independence

The fact is that we Americans have very high ideals to live up to. Our Declaration of Independence says, "All men are created equal". That all around us we see various forms of inequality should, however, not deter us. One of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, understood that democracy is a journey, not an end. The men who wrote the Declaration, he said, meant to establish a standard, "constantly looked to, constantly laboured for, and even though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated and thereby constantly spreading and deepening its influence". That standard guided President Lincoln toward the abolition of slavery and it will now guide President-elect Obama as he writes a new chapter in American democracy.

This election has also revealed something very important about democratic politics. This was a hard-fought contest between Democrats and Republicans, but as soon as the election was decided, Senator John McCain gave a gracious speech recognising Senator Obama's victory. More than that, he said to his opponent, "I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face". The next day, President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who as Republicans supported Senator McCain, also congratulated President-elect Obama and offered him their support.

'Loyal opposition'

Throughout modern-American history one party has peacefully handed power to its rival and expressed its loyalty to the new administration. What political scientists call the "loyal opposition" is, in fact, a crucial element of democratic politics. Democracy needs parties to represent differing points of view and to organise the political process. But, no party can be allowed to see itself as the one legitimate party and to charge the opposition with disloyalty. That way tyranny lies. The essence of democracy is the contest between two or more parties, each appealing to a body of citizens, but recognising that it is through the system of parties and not just one party that the will of the people is expressed.

So, we Americans are very proud of the elections we have just held, whether we supported Senator Obama or Senator McCain. As in every free and fair election, the ultimate winner is not one man or one party, but democracy itself.

Now, as President-elect Obama prepares to take office, we look forward to continuing to work with our partners in the Caribbean to create a better life for all its citizens.