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
JAN 2, 2013 • Article
Will 2013 Launch the Asian Century? Don’t Count on It
If an Asian Century means one in which Asian culture and politics dominate the globe, it won't be coming any time soon. Instead, for many ...
DEC 12, 2012 • Podcast
Talibanistan: Negotiating the Borders Between Terror, Politics, and Religion
"Talibanistan" is the nickname for the embattled territory from Kandahar in Afghanistan to Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Two experts explode ...
DEC 11, 2012 • Podcast
Ethics Matter: Srdja Popovic on Creating Successful Nonviolent Movements
Successful nonviolent movements need three things: the cool factor, memorable branding, and humor, says Popovic. He cofounded the Serbian youth movement Otpor!, which played a ...
DEC 10, 2012 • Article
The Crisis in Greece, Democracy, and the EU
The sovereign-debt crisis in Greece made clear that the fate of Greece, the Eurozone, and the EU are irrevocably bound together. It sparked debates on ...
DEC 3, 2012 • Podcast
Corey Brettschneider on Hate Speech
How should states deal with hate speech? In the U.S., the prevailing attitude is that hate speech should be protected. In other liberal democracies, ...
NOV 30, 2012 • Podcast
On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines--and Future
Drawing on over 30 years of experience of reporting on Saudi Arabia, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Karen Elliott House takes us behind the scenes in this secretive ...
NOV 28, 2012 • Article
Losing the Violence Monopoly
The poisonous cocktail of widespread police and military brutality, increasingly lethal inter-communal ethnic violence in several regions, the anxious countdown to the March 2013 presidential elections, ...
NOV 26, 2012 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Is It Too Soon to Normalize Relations with Burma?
As Burma begins to reform its government, the U.S. has been quick to begin normalizing relations with the Asian state. Are geostrategic considerations overshadowing ...
NOV 21, 2012 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Fostering Social Entrepreneurship in the New Tunisia
With educated youth and a nation awakening to its social and political needs, the time is ripe for social entrepreneurs to flourish in post-revolutionary Tunisia.
NOV 20, 2012 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: As Asia Waltzes Forward on Two Right Feet, America Fixates on the Middle East
The United States can be effective in its pivot toward Asia by using its influence to help resolve territorial disputes and defuse the rightward lurch ...