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
FEB 6, 2026 • Article
Trump and the Gaslighting of American Realism
APR 9, 2026 • Article
Realism vs. Pragmatism: Understanding America’s New Rhetorical Landscape
Amid Trump's fiery rhetoric and debates over "realism," Professor Jason Ralph writes that "pragmatism" may offer a better alternative for the American public.
SEP 11, 2025 • Video
Post-Liberal American Power
In the first event in our "Values & Interests" series, an expert panel examines the question: Has Trump 2.0 ushered in an era of post-liberal American power?
Related Initiatives
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
Explore Our Democracy Resources
SEP 27, 2016 • Podcast
Kumi Naidoo on Human Rights and the Impact of Climate Change
Kumi Naidoo's activism began at 15 years old, when he risked his life to protest against apartheid in his native South Africa. The former Greenpeace executive ...
SEP 20, 2016 • Podcast
The Philippines, the South China Sea, and the Many Sides of President Duterte
Richard Heydarian, of Manila's De La Salle University, discusses the Philippines' landmark legal victory against China in the South China Sea dispute, and why the ...
SEP 13, 2016 • Podcast
U.S. Elections & Brexit: Can Liberalism Survive?
Why are liberal values eroding across the world? Will this continue? Realist Stephen Walt says maybe not, if the U.S. can set a good ...
SEP 8, 2016 • Podcast
What to Make of Duterte's Philippines
John Gershman of NYU discusses with Carnegie Council's Devin Stewart the state of Filipino politics since the election of Rodrigo Duterte and where the country ...
AUG 30, 2016 • Podcast
Robert Kaplan on the Underlying Forces that Drive our "Post-Modern" World
"To understand the events of the next 50 years, then, one must understand environmental scarcity, cultural and racial clash, geographic destiny, and the transformation of war." ...
AUG 29, 2016 • Podcast
Update from Ukraine
Dr. Petro discusses the violence in Crimea, and Ukraine's economic and political stalemate. For long-term stability, Ukraine has to reconcile with Russia, he says. "There's ...
AUG 25, 2016 • Podcast
Asha Castleberry on the 2016 Election and the Fight Against ISIS
U.S. Army veteran Asha Castleberry discusses veterans' reactions to the 2016 presidential campaign, and also the ongoing U.S. anti-ISIS military campaign, which is preparing ...
JUL 26, 2016 • Podcast
Japan's Relationship with its Past and Future
Prime Minister Abe is the leading member of the small but powerful group Nippon Kaigi, which wants to turn its back on the international community ...
JUL 14, 2016 • Podcast
Japan's Politics: A Move toward Nationalism or more of the Status Quo?
Was Prime Minister Abe's landslide victory in the July elections a vote of confidence in his ability to jump-start Japan's stagnant economy, or simply a ...
JUN 30, 2016 • Podcast
A World History of Political Violence
Rachel Kleinfeld discusses with Devin Stewart her research--which took her to five continents over the past three years--and forthcoming book on how violence is perpetuated ...