Democracy is Alive and Well

When President Obama “delivers a big foreign-policy address at West Point on Wednesday, he’ll talk about the tensions and disputes that suddenly seem to be breaking out all around the globe. But amid all the messiness, one encouraging sign he might point to is the remarkable spate of elections being staged in countries important to the U.S,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The list of places on the U.S. watch list where the core function of democracy–citizens choosing leaders–has been exercised in recent weeks is an impressive one. Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, Egypt and Colombia all have held national elections.”

“Meanwhile, India just held an election that produced a peaceful sea change in leadership in the world’s largest democracy. And in Europe, a bedrock of democratic rule, voters across the continent last weekend cast votes that will significantly change the character of the European Parliament.”