As the world's leader, postelection America faces two challenges: One is to regain its reputation as a nation that is respected abroad; the other is to establish an enduring system of cooperation with the international community.
The United States was once respected for what it said and did, and much of the world admired and accepted its leadership. After the end of World War II, the U.S. took the initiative in creating the United Nations with the aim of establishing international peace. It helped rebuild war-ravaged Europe under the Marshall Plan for economic recovery. It transformed totalitarian Japan and Germany into democracies. American pop culture -- Hollywood movies, blue jeans and the like -- have thrilled young people the world over.
By contrast, the unilateralist policy pursued by the administration of President George W. Bush has caused sharp divisions not only at home but also in the international community. The U.S. takes pride in its global role as the standard bearer of democracy, but on Mr. Bush's watch it appears to have spawned fear and resentment abroad, squandering much of the good will and respect it had earned in the past.