Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Dr. Kleinfeld's new paper for the Carnegie Endowment, titled, "Five Strategies to Support U.S. Democracy" is discuess on Moe's podacast.
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.
While the adage that “misery loves company” is understandable as an emotional response, it is not a helpful approach to analyzing global politics. Overestimating the similarities between U.S. political dynamics and those of other troubled democracies distorts our understanding of democratic backsliding—and makes it more difficult to fight.
Some believe that Americans are living under the tyranny of an out-of-control administrative state. The real problem is rather different, argues Francis Fukuyama.
Liberal democracy will not make a comeback unless people are willing to struggle on its behalf. The problem is that many who grow up living in peaceful, prosperous liberal democracies begin to take their form of government for granted.
Karim Sadjadpour, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior fellow speaks with Andrea Mitchell to assess the state of U.S. policy with regards to Iran amid extraordinary protests against Iran’s regime sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Given the enormity of the internal problems of the United States, however, it is high time to break the cycle and engage with domestic politics as though foreign policy is supposed to serve the American polity and not the other way around. Let me make one practical proposal for doing so.
External interference in the West’s domestic affairs has prompted the European Parliament to consider tightening restrictions on foreign funding and individuals. The EU must tackle this challenge without eroding civic spaces or limiting support for civil society.
The democratic quality of states, including those in the West, have been declining as of late. More effective diplomatic engagement and political support from the international community may help where governments enforce restrictions on civil society.
It severely weakens political parties and opens the door for the president to prevent anyone who has criticized him from seeking office.