: Fiery French protests and widespread Israeli strike reflect discord with democracy. The U.S. is not immune.

The political climate in France has been running hot, with weeks of disruptive protests and strikes in reaction to a bump higher in the pension-collection age. Over an intense few days, Israel’s economy, including its major airport, was hobbled by a broad work stoppage that made frenemies of business owners and labor against a hardline government because of proposal giving greater power to its judiciary.

These are demonstrative examples, no doubt, featuring compelling images of roaring bonfires mere feet from occupied Parisian…