Times are tough for liberal internationalists who believe in a combination of democracy, market economy and globalisation. The ideology, faults and all, has proved its worth, but its defenders seem to have gone into hibernation.
Europe and North America are still by far the most prosperous continents. The combination of free trade and enterprise has lifted millions of people out of poverty over the past decades. Yet, attacks on such a system are coming from all directions. Illiberal and protectionist European governments are commonplace. Britain is leaving the EU and the Wallonian parliament wanted to block a free trade agreement with Canada.
The US presidential election symbolises everything that can be vulgar in democratic discourse. Civility and substance have given way to insult and personal attack. When the US election becomes PG-rated, we know democracy is in trouble.