As this year of elections comes to an end, concerns are mounting that a "my country first" mindset could take hold across the world.

From Taiwan's presidential election in January to the U.S. presidential poll in November, major elections have taken place in nations and regions home to 3.7 billion people -- close to half the global population.

These elections unfolded against a backdrop of surging inflation, which has hit households worldwide, and two ongoing wars -- in Europe and the Middle East -- that have disrupted international order.

What stands out is how often ruling administrations and parties have faced defeat or significant challenges. In Japan and South Africa, long-dominant ruling parties lost their parliamentary majorities. In France and South Korea, ruling parties suffered crushing defeats in parliamentary polls, while India's ruling coalition also struggled.

The most striking examples of power shifts occurred in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the U.K., the Labour Party reclaimed power after 14 years in opposition, while in the U.S., former Republican President Donald Trump will be returning to the Oval Office following a four-year gap after defeating Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

These outcomes reflect widespread public anger and disappointment with ruling parties' inability to address serious problems, leaving many governments stuck in political gridlock.

This frustration was especially clear in the U.S. presidential election. Exit polls by American media revealed that three out of four voters expressed dissatisfaction or anger with the status quo, underscoring a strong desire for change. Trump capitalized on this sentiment, even gaining support from non-white and younger voters, demographics that have traditionally leaned toward the Democratic Party.

This growing distrust of politics is a shared challenge across democracies. Disinformation was widely disseminated during some elections, as political arguments descended into polarized shouting matches and both sides fired off accusations. This highlights democracy's fragile foundations.

Particularly alarming in Western countries is the rise of extreme nationalism, with public anger directed at immigrants and foreign nations. In Europe, skepticism toward the European Union is reemerging, and far-right groups advocating anti-immigration policies are gaining momentum. Xenophobia is steadily creeping into the social fabric.

At the same time, the "my country first" approach -- marked by indifference toward foreign wars and global issues like climate change -- is becoming more prominent. The ideal of international cooperation is steadily weakening.

Yet ignoring these challenges will not exempt countries from their responsibilities as members of the global community. No nation can escape global issues; cooperation is the only way forward.

The key is the ability of leaders to inspire trust and take decisive action. Without this, democracy itself cannot function.