The Future of Democracy December 10, 2008

Organizer: Hudson Institute. Given significant recent challenges to democracy promotion, substantial questions have arisen as to whether meaningful democratic reform is a realistic possibility in many parts of the world and whether democracy promotion is an appropriate anchor for American foreign policy. Can and should the core American belief in inalienable human rights be the primary basis for effective diplomacy and foreign policy? Should U.S. foreign policy seek to be consistent with President-Elect Obama’s election night speech that “the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope”? Or has a backlash against an American foreign policy focused on democracy promotion permanently hindered democracy promotion efforts around the world?

Official Website: http://www.hudson.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=hudson_upcoming_events&id=637