On Nov. 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wiped out all of India’s high-denomination currency notes, a move that caused disruption throughout society. But Mr. Modi said, and most Indians believe, those notes facilitated large-scale corruption. As a result, the prime minister remains popular despite criticism from some economists and businessmen.

This bombshell landed in India on the same day as another one halfway around the world. I recall driving through Virginia on election day in the U.S. when one campaign sign caught my eye. It read simply “Virginians don’t vote yes to corruption.” That and the U.S. flag—nothing more. It carried a clear message, one that apparently resonated with the U.S. electorate.

Some may wonder, how could so many decent people hold their noses and vote for Donald Trump? And how could so many poor and middle-class people in India accept economic losses and yet sing Mr. Modi’s praises?

One unifying thread has come into sharp focus. We are hearing on different continents the same cry of frustration with endemic corruption. Mr. Trump and Mr. Modi heard that cry and responded, and large swaths of the public embraced them.

Even President Xi Jinping of China, less constrained by the need to respond to an electorate, has drawn enormous popular support with his anti-corruption campaign. The paths taken by these three political leaders, with Mr. Trump so far having only words not actions to his credit, are different, but they hold lessons for politicians world-wide.