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
MAY 1, 2009 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Jumping Parties: Principles or Pragmatism?
Senator Specter is now a Democrat. Was his decision to switch parties principled, pragmatic, or just expedient?
APR 27, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: A Blight on the Nation: Slavery in Today's America
Certain things we know to be true. We know that the South kept slaves, and the North fought a righteous war of liberation. We know ...
APR 24, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: The G-20's Global Hit-and-Run
The economic crisis has been compared to familiar catastrophes such as the sinking Titanic and a tsunami. But the car crash analogy works much better ...
APR 22, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Spring 2009 Poetry Contest Winners
Policy Innovations is pleased to announce the winners of its Spring 2009 Poetry Contest. The following five submissions, each from a different city, represent the inspiration ...
APR 17, 2009 • Podcast
God Is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith Is Changing the World
John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge argues that God is back as part of politics. On the street and in the corridors of power, religion is ...
APR 17, 2009 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: International Aid: Does Help Hurt?
According to Dambisa Moyo, large foreign aid flows to Africa disenfranchise Africans and prop up corrupt African leaders. If we follow Moyo's advice and cut ...
APR 7, 2009 • Podcast
Barbara Crossette Interviews Nandan Nilekani
Journalist Barbara Crossette talks to Indian software entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani about his book, "Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation." Their topics include politics, ...
MAR 31, 2009 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Simultaneous Policy for Global Problems
Instead of a global race to the bottom, coordinated international action could help governments make tough policy choices without scaring off capital and factories. John ...
MAR 27, 2009 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Obama and Ethics
Can public discussion of issues acknowledge gray areas despite being polarized by the media and single issue groups?
MAR 19, 2009 • Podcast
Turkey Decoded
Ambassador Ann Dismorr examines Turkey's troubled relations with the EU, its role in the Middle East, its complex relationship with the U.S., and the ...