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
JUN 16, 2004 • Podcast
1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft and Debs: The Election That Changed the Country
James Chace looks back at the 1912 presidential elections and their effect on U.S. foreign policy.
JUN 10, 2004 • Transcript
The Right Nation: How Conservatism Won
How did conservatism achieve the extraordinary dominance of American politics it enjoys today? Among other reasons, by being better organized and more in tune with ...
MAY 19, 2004 • Transcript
Reason: Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America
Robert Reich is optimistic about John Kerry’s victory in the presidential elections, because his research shows that most Americans adhere to fundamental liberal principles.
MAR 31, 2004 • Article
Promoting Democracy through International Law
Failing to draw adequately on international law, the model of democracy promoted by the Bush administration is neither effective nor legitimate in the eyes of ...
MAR 18, 2004 • Transcript
Opening Mexico: The Making of a Democracy
Julia Preston and Samuel Dillon discuss Mexico's extraordinary democratic transformation.
MAR 4, 2004 • Article
Feature Articles from Inprint Newsletter (2001–2004): Response to "Promoting Democracy in a Divided World"
Omar Noman takes issue with several of Andrew Kuper's ideas on promoting democracy.
MAR 2, 2004 • Article
Feature Articles from Inprint Newsletter (2001–2004): Fighting for the Environment -- and Getting Democracy
"I [spoke] with a Chinese environmentalist who was a high school student at the time of Tiananmen. He said he had watched the democracy demonstrations ...
FEB 26, 2004 • Transcript
Universal Democracy? Prospects for a World Transformed
Diamond insists that the United States and the international community have a moral obligation, as well as a political opportunity, to encourage, foster, and promote ...
OCT 21, 2003 • Transcript
Fear's Empire: War, Terrorism, and Democracy in an Age of Interdependence
Benjamin Barber urges the United States to curb its militaristic impulses in favor of working for "global comity" within the framework of universal rights and ...
SEP 11, 2003 • Transcript
Why Societies Need Dissent
Based on research of group polarization, Cass Sunstein makes a convincing case that societies function better if they allow dissent.