New Delhi, Feb. 18 -- The world's two superpowers are hardly inspiring models for those who care about democracy, human rights and social justice. For all its economic success, China is an authoritarian regime that does not tolerate dissent. Under President Donald Trump, the US has not only abandoned any semblance of addressing its vast inequalities of income and wealth, but has also departed sharply from the rule of law at home and has become an erratic partner abroad.

Many yearn for a better future than what the US and Chinese models offer. If we are to achieve a stable, multipolar world in which democratic aspirations remain alive, Europe will have to take the lead.

But Europe has its own weaknesses. Its economic machine is faltering...