In the context of a global democratic recession and rising geopolitical tensions, the United States seeks to foster democratic advances and limit democratic backsliding, through diplomatic efforts, economic carrots and sticks, and democracy-related assistance. What is the full range of these policies and programs, how effective are they, and how can they be strengthened?
Despite a favorable political environment in recent years on both sides of the Atlantic for close European-U.S. cooperation on international democracy support, only policy convergence has been achieved.
International assistance for women’s political empowerment has evolved significantly over the last three decades, from a first generation of aid programs aimed at integrating women into nascent democratic institutions to a second generation focused on transforming the broader political ecosystem.
Mounting evidence suggests Biden kept pro-Bolsonaro generals from executing a coup.
Responding to rising autocratic assertiveness and an ongoing democratic recession, the Biden administration has advanced multiple new policy and aid initiatives to support democracy globally. An examination of its efforts reveals six main elements, each of which embodies a complex mix of promising opportunities and nagging dilemmas.
Through its efforts to counter the geostrategic reach of China and Russia, the Biden administration aims to defend democracy globally.
Relations between the United States and many undemocratic countries around the world vary widely from cozy to conflictive. Understanding the drivers and evolving dynamics of these relationships is vital to grasping the realities of U.S. foreign policy in an age of sharp geostrategic competition.
Leaving aside the fact that the United States has not in recent memory exhibited much shame in prioritizing its interests globally, the problem with this formulation is that the strength of an ally’s democracy is often connected with U.S. security interests.
An overarching policy lesson that emerges from the record of recent democratic bright spots is that policy makers seeking to help need to move quickly. Such moments often fade with disheartening speed.
Despite the overall global trend of democratic backsliding, dozens of democratic bright spots have emerged in countries around the world during the past ten years. Understanding the variety and dynamics of these positive political junctures is key to crafting more effective ways to support them.
As the world faces a democratic recession, many of the most common explanations fall short. But looking more closely at antidemocratic leaders’ motivations and methods reveals valuable insights about different types of backsliding and how international actors should respond.
The offices will bring sorely needed coordination, credibility, and resources to tackling major policy issues in the digital age. But creating new bureaus is one thing.
What should an enhanced anti-coup strategy entail? The Biden team can start by sharpening its immediate post-coup playbook. But to effectively counter the growing coup trend, Washington needs to look beyond immediate response.
