some of the world's- new democracies, Plattner notes. But as great a misfortune as that would be for the people involved, he argues, it would not necessarily mean the end of de- mocracy's global prestige. Even if a major- ity of the new democracies failed, the pre- sumption would still be that liberal democracy is the only form of government suitable for mature nations.
"Democracy's preeminence can be seri- ously challenged," Plattner maintains, "only an ideology with universalist...