Today, virulent leftists are seeking, and frequently succeeding at, obtaining power through the ballot box - then using it to destroy their government's constitutional processes and any checks on that power.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Snatching defeat?

When Hamas won power at the ballot box in 2006, Palestine's foreign paymasters cancelled all development aid, limiting help to humanitarian supplies.

ECONOMIST: As pressure mounts on Israel to lift the siege, Hamas gains

But Hamas is banking on Egypt's Muslim Brothers soon coming to power, perhaps in a coalition, by the ballot box.

ECONOMIST: The Palestinians