THERE appears to be a fundamental flaw in an electoral process in which 103 million ordinary people take part, yet nine politically partisan appointees pick the winning candidate.

But the fault lies in the competency of machines used to punch holes in ballot papers, not with the political system of the world's biggest democracy.

There is something refreshing in that an election of such magnitude can be determined by a handful of voters in the south-eastern outpost of the nation.

It was the machines, not the system, which disenfranchised these people in favour of the Supreme Court judges. It was the machines, not the system, which probably denied victory to the candidate with the most votes.

The American system has been put to its sternest test and survived.

For 36 days following polling day, America has been unable to declare the identity its 43rd President. And yet everyday life and the business of government have merrily carried on as normal. There has been uncertainty, but there has been no crisis. That is the hallmark of a mature and well-constructed democracy.

But while the US system has stayed intact, the power of its President-elect has not. The nature of his victory has made George W Bush a lame duck president-in-waiting.

He will forever be saddled with the reputation of being the first president for 112 years to lose the popular vote, yet who still made it to the White House.

Unlike Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and John F Kennedy, he will be unable to draw on the people of American as his power base.

He will be sidelined, unable to claim he carries the will of the people to break free of a system of checks and balances.

He will be fettered by Congress; a House of Representatives with a slender Republican majority, and a Senate where only the casting vote of his vice-president will guarantee his party a majority.

Traditionally, Congress has rarely looked outside domestic politics, and this Congress will be no different. It will not let a lame duck president set the agenda at home. And it will discourage him from venturing to set the agenda overseas.

There are grave doubts over the international credentials of George W Bush. But even if he is converted to an interest in foreign policy, he is likely to be held in check.

The United States is destined to turn its back on the rest of the world for the first time since its isolationism coincided with the outbreak of two world wars.

We may come to regret the machines in the polling booths of Florida.