Revolution in the Air

For five years, ever since George W. Bush entered the White House, it's been an axiom of international affairs that in comparison with the U.S., Europe is socially and politically liberal. In many ways, that is still true. But changes in the political climate have a habit of creeping up on you, like a light breeze before a storm. And enough has happened — or, rather, become visible — in Europe this year to wonder whether that truism is still accurate. Last week, I heard one of Britain's most experienced commentators describe this year's Conservative Party conference as "young and sparky."...