Commentary
Thomas Carothers, McKenzie Carrier
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REQUIRED IMAGE
In The Media
Three Tyrants, One Test
Published on Dec 25, 2005
Source: New York Times
PRESIDENT BUSH'S ''freedom agenda'' rests on the idea that promoting democracy abroad is crucial to fighting terrorism. In his view, if democracy can spread to stagnant authoritarian states in the Middle East and elsewhere, it will undercut the roots of Islamic jihadism and other forms of violent political radicalism. This is a bold proposition, as appealing as it is unproved. American presidents of the last several decades embraced democracy promotion in principle but usually deferred it in practice when it came to friendly tyrants who supplied America with oil, sites for military bases and other economic and security benefits. President Bush's agenda implies a fundamental change in that pattern. Such relationships will have to change, not for the sake of mushy ideals, but in pursuit of a deeper, post-Sept. 11 security interest.
About the Author
Thomas Carothers
Harvey V. Fineberg Chair for Democracy Studies; Director, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Thomas Carothers, director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, is a leading expert on comparative democratization and international support for democracy.
- When Do Mass Protests Topple Autocrats?
- The Trump Administration’s Tangled Talk About Democracy AbroadArticle
Thomas Carothers, McKenzie Carrier
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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