Democracy's beacon flickers
THE ARGUMENT that democracy is "on the wane" around the world (Ideas, Sept. 14) would be more convincing if, in addition to noting how Russia's anti-democratic example influences developing countries, Joshua Kurlantzick had mentioned the decline of democratic leadership in America.
For much of the last century, and historically since the days of Thomas Paine and Alexis de Tocqueville, much of the world admired America as a country struggling toward a democratic ideal. Since America's recent democratic debacles (from hanging chads to Ohio vote-stealing allegations to electoral financing to the quality of political candidates - Sarah Palin? Seriously?), no analysis of international democracy can be complete without including the fading influence of the United States.
As a Canadian observer of American democracy who travels regularly in Europe and works often with Americans, I've found that even the most thoughtful Americans do not yet see how much their own country's reputation has faded. And, underneath the current anger with how American policies affect the world - an anger that is almost palpable in Canada and other countries - I think many view the absence of America as an aspiring role model for freedom as a great loss.
DEBORAH JONES
Vancouver, British Columbia 