Democracy

Framing ethical perspectives

Democracy is a form of government in which political control is given to the people, whether directly or through the election of governing officials. Currently, large numbers of people have lost faith in this form of government and some elected officials have been working to dismantle democratic institutions. Our programs, events, and experts strive to better understand this development.

Featured Democracy Resources

State of global democracy, U.S. global engagement, and more

JUN 9, 2021 Podcast

Illiberal Democracy on the Rise: Examining Brazil, Hungary, & India

APR 19, 2022 Podcast

Why Democracy vs. Autocracy Misses the Point, with Jean-Marie Guéhenno

Senior Fellow Anja Kapsersen is joined by Professor Jean-Marie Guéhenno for a conversation about virtual communities and the advent of the age of data.

FEB 23, 2024 Article

What Do We Mean When We Talk About "AI Democratization"?

With numerous parties calling for "AI democratization," Elizabeth Seger, director of the CASM digital policy research hub at Demos, discusses four meanings of the term.

Explore Our Democracy Resources

Tehran's Azadi Tower lights in support of China against coronavirus, February 2020. CREDIT: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Azadi_Tower_lights_in_support_of_China_against_coronavirus_2.jpg">Amin Yari (CC)</a>

MAR 18, 2020 Podcast

The Coronavirus Pandemic & International Relations, with Nikolas Gvosdev

With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting all aspects of daily life around the world, what will be the effect on international relations? Will it increase cooperation ...

U.S. representative Zalmay Khalilzad (left) and Taliban representative Abdul Ghani Baradar (right) sign the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar on February 29, 2020. CREDIT: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001–present)#/media/File:Secretary_Pompeo_Participates_in_a_Signing_Ceremony_in_Doha_(49601220548).jpg">U.S. Department of State/Public Domain</a>

MAR 10, 2020 Podcast

The U.S.-Taliban Agreement & the Future of Afghanistan, with Jonathan Cristol

On February 29, the United States and the Taliban reached an agreement that could potentially end the longest-running war in American history. Jonathan Cristol, author of "...

CREDIT: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Voting_United_States.jpg">Tom Arthur (CC)</a>

MAR 5, 2020 Article

Super Tuesday and the Clash of Foreign Policy Narratives

Democratic voters are now presented with a clear choice between two different foreign policy narratives and ethical considerations when it comes to U.S. engagement ...

Joe Biden in Des Moines, Iowa, August 2019. CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/48605395292/">Gage Skidmore</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(CC)</a>

MAR 4, 2020 Podcast

Biden, Sanders, & Foreign Policy after Super Tuesday, with Nikolas Gvosdev

Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev looks at the foreign policy discussions after Super Tuesday, with only Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders left with realistic chances at ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flags_of_UK_and_USA.jpg">Tvabutzku1234 (CC)</a>

FEB 11, 2020 Article

Gallagher's Proposal & Emerging Narratives

Rep. Michael Gallagher (R-WI) recently penned a "Wall Street Journal" op-ed laying out a new paradigm for U.S. foreign policy, as it relates to ...

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a rally in Philadelphia for his 2020 presidential campaign. CREDIT: <a href=https://www.flickr.com/photos/138425397@N05/40914528093/in/photostream/>Michael Stokes (CC)</a>.

FEB 7, 2020 Article

As Biden Stalls, Is the "Restorationist" Narrative Losing Ground?

U.S. Global Engagement Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev notes that former Vice President Joe Biden is, in foreign policy terms, most associated with a "restorationist" ...

FEB 5, 2020 Podcast

Democratic Candidates & Foreign Policy after Iowa, with Nikolas Gvosdev

With the (incomplete) results of the Iowa Caucus putting the spotlight on Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders, what do we know about their foreign policy ...

FEB 4, 2020 Podcast

Do Morals Matter? Presidents & Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump, with Joseph Nye

How much do morals matter for U.S. presidents when it comes to international affairs? What are the ethics of "America First" or 2003 invasion of ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1063277">pxhere (CC)/Public Domain</a>

JAN 31, 2020 Article

In Favor of the Public Interest: Social Media Should be Regulated

"The sheer size of the social media market in news delivery, as well as the numerous instances of social media being used for harmful ends, ...

Donald Trump meets with Xi Jinping in June 2019 at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. CREDIT: <a href=https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/48162295476/>Official White House Photo/Shealah Craighead (CC)</a>.

JAN 30, 2020 Article

Hybrid Narratives and Competing with China

Senior Fellow Nikolas Gvosdev responds to the new report released by the Center for a New American Security entitled "Rising to the China Challenge: Renewing ...