The political paralysis and polarization that Biden leaves behind in Washington is not the ideal platform upon which to don the mantle of global leadership. “The world’s liberal democracies have lost their monopoly to define what democracy is, not simply because the new authoritarians claim democratic credentials (they have won free if not always fair elections),” wrote the Bulgarian political philosopher Ivan Krastev last month, “but also because … a vast majority [in their own societies] … are deeply disappointed with their own political system. Some are unconvinced they even still live in a democracy.”

Source: Washington Post June 09, 2021 04:02 UTC