Democracy’s appeal in Age of Trump

There's been much talk of late about democracy's imminent demise. China's continued rise, the emergence of strongmen (and would-be strongmen) in democracies like India, Turkey, Brazil and elsewhere, and the growth of illiberal populism in various forms sometimes seems to suggest democracy is on the wane. But much of the fear for democracy's future centers on hardening international attitudes toward Donald Trump and the United States.

Yet a closer look at these attitudes across countries reveal some surprising results. Compare public sentiment in Japan and China. Trump recently returned from a visit to Japan, where he enjoyed a lavish welcome complete with red carpets, ringside seats at a sumo tournament, and the honor of becoming the first head of state to meet Japan's new emperor.
The US and China, meanwhile, are now engaged in a full-blown trade war. US tariffs on ...