Asia’s Republican Leanings

The heated US presidential campaign offers a lesson in democracy for the globe, and many who are not citizens of the US follow every detail. One ambassador has noted that the election is the “best diplomacy tool I’ve had in a long time,” reports columnist Roger Cohen in the New York Times. The world is looking on beyond the Bush administration, Cohen notes and, like US voters, is divided about how to proceed. He explains why Europe generally favors Democrats and Asians prefer Republicans. Both parties have put forward "remarkable" candidates, Cohen suggests. He urges the next US president to avoid the mistake made by George Bush, rejecting all policies of his predecessor from the opposing party. While some policies require correction, others must be preserved, Cohen concludes. Democracy works best as a political system when the finest ideas from the majority and the minority sides can both move forward. – YaleGlobal