Exporting Freedom?

{
  "authors": [
    "Thomas Carothers"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "democracy",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "DCG",
  "programs": [
    "Democracy, Conflict, and Governance"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Exporting Freedom?

The United States must balance its goal of democracy promotion with its economic, political, and security interests.

By Thomas Carothers

Published on Nov 5, 2012

Source: RT CrossTalk

Speaking on RT’s Crosstalk, Carnegie's Thomas Carothers explained that the United States is always struggling to balance its goal of democracy promotion with its economic, political, and security interests. He argued that the resulting policy inconsistencies do not diminish the overall significance of U.S. democracy assistance, which has been substantial. The United States is part of a wider network of established democracies engaging in democracy assistance around the world, Carothers added. Rather than seeking direct regime change, the majority of these efforts aim at strengthening existing political reform efforts.

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.

Recent Work

Article
How Anger Over Corruption Keeps Driving Global Politics
- Thomas Carothers, McKenzie Carrier
Commentary
When Do Mass Protests Topple Autocrats?
- Thomas Carothers, McKenzie Carrier

Political Reform Democracy Foreign Policy North America United States Middle East

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.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
The Afghanistan–Pakistan War Poses Awkward Questions for Russia
Not only does the fighting jeopardize regional security, it undermines Russian attempts to promote alternatives to the Western-dominated world order.
Ruslan Suleymanov
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Moldova Floats a New Approach to Its Transnistria Conundrum
Moldova’s reintegration plan was drawn up to demonstrate to Brussels that Chișinău is serious about the Transnistria issue—and to get the West to react.
Vladimir Solovyov
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
After Ilia II: What Will a New Patriarch Mean for Georgia?
The front-runner to succeed Ilia II, Metropolitan Shio, is prone to harsh anti-Western rhetoric and frequent criticism of “liberal ideologies” that he claims threaten the Georgian state. This raises fears that under his leadership the Georgian Orthodox Church will lose its unifying role and become an instrument of ultraconservative ideology.
Bashir Kitachaev
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Lukashenko’s Bromance With Trump Has a Sell-By Date
Lukashenko is willing to make big sacrifices for an invitation to Mar-a-Lago or the White House. He also knows that the clock is ticking: he must squeeze as much out of the Trump administration as he can before congressional elections in November leave Trump hamstrung or distracted.
Artyom Shraibman
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
What the Russian Energy Sector Stands to Gain From War in the Middle East
The future trajectory of the U.S.-Iran war remains uncertain, but its impact on global energy trade flows and ties will be far-reaching. Moscow is likely to become a key beneficiary of these changes; the crisis in the Gulf also strengthens Russia’s hand in its relationships with China and India, where advantages might prove more durable.
Sergey Vakulenko

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

The Afghanistan–Pakistan War Poses Awkward Questions for Russia

Not only does the fighting jeopardize regional security, it undermines Russian attempts to promote alternatives to the Western-dominated world order.

Ruslan Suleymanov

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Moldova Floats a New Approach to Its Transnistria Conundrum

Moldova’s reintegration plan was drawn up to demonstrate to Brussels that Chișinău is serious about the Transnistria issue—and to get the West to react.

Vladimir Solovyov

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

After Ilia II: What Will a New Patriarch Mean for Georgia?

The front-runner to succeed Ilia II, Metropolitan Shio, is prone to harsh anti-Western rhetoric and frequent criticism of “liberal ideologies” that he claims threaten the Georgian state. This raises fears that under his leadership the Georgian Orthodox Church will lose its unifying role and become an instrument of ultraconservative ideology.

Bashir Kitachaev

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Lukashenko’s Bromance With Trump Has a Sell-By Date

Lukashenko is willing to make big sacrifices for an invitation to Mar-a-Lago or the White House. He also knows that the clock is ticking: he must squeeze as much out of the Trump administration as he can before congressional elections in November leave Trump hamstrung or distracted.

Artyom Shraibman

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

What the Russian Energy Sector Stands to Gain From War in the Middle East

The future trajectory of the U.S.-Iran war remains uncertain, but its impact on global energy trade flows and ties will be far-reaching. Moscow is likely to become a key beneficiary of these changes; the crisis in the Gulf also strengthens Russia’s hand in its relationships with China and India, where advantages might prove more durable.

Sergey Vakulenko