Mohamed Morsi still probably would be the president of Egypt if he had governed in an inclusive and effective way. It’s possible to recognize that fact and still lament the willingness of the Egyptian military to undo the results of a free and fair election that occurred only a year ago.

There are advantages to being first with a new idea. If it works, you get the benefit while others are still stuck in the past. Advantages, however, also come to those who wait. They get to see where the pitfalls are and learn from others’ mistakes.