For democracies to work well, balance and separation of powers are needed, for autocracies to succeed they have to be deeply meritocratic. In both cases government has to be depoliticized, at the service of society in general and not be an instrument of power. The best examples are Switzerland and Singapore.
The West is pushing countries like Turkey and Russia eastward, towards China.
Democracy has made it harder to resolve social struggles and make reforms, compared to benevolent, semi-authoritarian governments that act as service organizations, like Singapore.
Countries in Asia have a plan and direction. The West has to get its houses in order.
As symbolized by Istanbul being both in Europe and in Asia, Turkey is culturally conflicted between East and West. Ultimately, the choice is democracy with separation and balance of powers vs. autocracy, or a delicate mix: secular vs. religious.
Non-democracies have the double advantage that reforms are easier to implement and, with increasing digital connectivity and information (no privacy), the state will be able to get feedback, plan policies and implement them.
Ultimately, no one in Asia can be an enemy of China and survive.
America thought that other nations would yield to its power...not so anymore : China, Iran, Turkey, Russia - all old, imperial cultures - are fighting back.
America is exciting and savage, Europe civilized and beautiful, Asia is finding its way, at tension between individuals and community.
New ideas for governance and economic management may come equally from the east as from the west - beyond Europe, from the likes of Singapore or Taiwan.
We are now in a world where nations need to get their houses in order by themselves, from democracies to the Middle East, and aim to achieve self-sufficiency, like China. The impetus is becoming strong domestically, no longer about converting or conquering other cultures.