Category: Democracy and foreign policy

Dismantling Reagan’s infrastructure of democracy in face of ‘authoritarian international’?

     

The State Department’s fiscal 2019 budget request is a proposal not only to slash the budget of the National Endowment for Democracy but also to disassemble its relationships with its core institutes,… Read more »

Principled realism: National Security Strategy ‘prudently’ advances democratic values

     

THE HALLMARK of the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy (NSS), which was released in December, is the idea of “principled realism.” This marks a decided shift from the policies of Trump’s two… Read more »

‘Hyperdemocratization’ not to blame for western democracies’ ills

     

While concerns about illiberalism, populism, and majoritarianism are certainly well-founded, blaming such phenomena on an “excess” of democracy is not, notes Barnard College professor Sheri Berman, a contributor to the… Read more »

Democracy is ‘under assault’ and ‘in retreat,’ says Freedom House

     

A new report from the independent watchdog organization Freedom House says that democratic principles such as election integrity and freedom of the press are weakening globally for the 12th consecutive… Read more »

Montenegro poll shows anti-Western tilt, highlighting autocrats’ illiberal ‘spoiler’ role in Western Balkans?

     

A new survey of public opinion in Montenegro reveals widespread opposition to NATO and U.S. involvement in Europe’s security as well as dissatisfaction with the direction of the country. According… Read more »

Combatting kleptocracy? Why nondemocratic states can’t deliver on corruption

     

Targeted, personal sanctions aimed at oligarchs create a genuine problem for Vladimir Putin’s hold on power, notes analyst Natalie Nougayrède. Russia is an authoritarian kleptocracy. The elite’s loyalty to the… Read more »

How democratic renewal can uphold liberal world order

     

A recent speech by George W. Bush made headlines showed an understanding of the grave stakes that challenge the United States and other Western democracies, liberal commentator Michael Tomasky writes for the… Read more »

‘Quad’ of democracies vs. China: a new clash of civilizations?

     

The resumption of talks on the “quadrilateral” strategic initiative between the US, Australia, Japan and India is a shot across the bows of China. It has more than a whiff of… Read more »

Southeast Asia’s ’emboldened’ strongmen look to China in setback to democracy

     

Chinese leaders have long sought to present themselves as equals to American presidents. Xi Jinping has wanted something more: a special relationship that sets China apart, as the other great… Read more »

A foreign policy for advancing democracy

     

The debate about American foreign policy has always divided along two dimensions. How close in or far out should America protect its security? And for what moral or political purpose… Read more »