The “break it to fix it” approach to current American politics has many folks in jitters. But disruption is not inherently – or only – negative. In Los Angeles, for instance, the disruption of wildfires has seeded a renewal of leadership starting at the grassroots. In Bangladesh, the disruption of revolution has stirred a new generation to higher democratic ideals. Disruption in trade ties is uniting Canadians in defense of their sovereignty.

Disruptions, like the historic package of tariffs announced by the Trump admininstration yesterday, can destabilize. (Simon Montlake looks today at how.) It’s easier to break things than to fix them. But like the arrival of children, disruptions can also spark joy. And, as the following stories show, there’s the possibility of invention and restored faith in governance.