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
APR 20, 2006 • Podcast
Decade of Nightmares: The End of the Sixties and the Making of Eighties America
In a wide-ranging talk, Professor Philip Jenkins argues that the mid-to-late 1970s were a crucial turning point in religious and political landscapes around the world.
JAN 27, 2006 • Podcast
American Vertigo: Traveling America in the Footsteps of Tocqueville
In his entertaining and sometimes provocative book, celebrated French intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy takes a fascinating new look at the country that Americans think they ...
JUL 7, 2005 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Beyond the G8: From Debt Relief to Democracy and Development
Mountains of debt, in some cases accrued under past dictatorships, represent a stranglehold on many developing countries. These debts soak up a large percentage of ...
JUN 14, 2005 • Podcast
Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq
After a recent visit to Iraq, Larry Diamond reflects sadly on how we have allowed the situation "to slip into a state of severe insecurity, ...
MAY 31, 2005 • Article
SPECIAL REPORT: The Spread of Democracy
Not long ago democracy was seen as a luxury, a system feasible only under certain economic and cultural conditions. The explosion of democratic movements ...
MAY 13, 2005 • Transcript
Democracy and Armed Intervention: Conversation with David Rieff
David Rieff talks about how his views have changed on intervention.
MAY 13, 2005 • Podcast
Democracy and Armed Intervention: Conversation with David Rieff
David Rieff talks about how his views have changed on intervention.
MAY 4, 2005 • Transcript
At the Point of a Gun: Democratic Dreams and Armed Intervention
David Rieff tries to bridge the gap between our democratic dreams and the means we use to achieve them in tricky wars of humanitarian purpose.
APR 28, 2005 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Democratizing Globalization
Over 50 intellectual, political, and civil society leaders convened at Carnegie Council to debate the links between poverty, democracy, security and globalization. Participants explored the role ...
APR 19, 2005 • Podcast
Return to Greatness: How America Lost Its Sense of Purpose and What It Needs to Do to Recover It
In a candid discussion of American politics and ideals, Alan Wolfe looks to the future and how the U.S. can keep liberty and equality ...