October 13, 2020
America Must Promote Democracy, Despite Trump’s Disdain for It
On Sept. 23, the U.S. State Department announced that the United States would no longer recognize Aleksandr Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus after he refused to hand over power to his opponent following a fraudulent election. That same day, the United States’ own president, Donald Trump, refused to commit to a peaceful transition after the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election.
A dysfunctional U.S. democracy at home makes it less credible to support liberalism abroad—at a time when freedom continues a more than decade-long retreat around the world.
The timing was more than awkward, as was the seeming double standard. In a world already riven by competition among political models, dictators and autocrats sense wind at their backs. A dysfunctional U.S. democracy at home makes it less credible to support liberalism abroad—at a time when freedom continues a more than decade-long retreat around the world. When the world needs the United States to lead in the support of democracy, the country is deeply divided about the strength of its own. Absent a quick correction, this portends trouble for what has long been a core element of U.S. foreign policy.
Read the full article in Foreign Policy.
More from CNAS
-
Commentary
Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative
Sharper: The Next CongressWhen the 117th Congress is sworn in next January, legislators have the opportunity to exert substantial influence on the future of America's role in the world....
By Katie Galgano, Chris Estep & Cole Stevens
-
Commentary
Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative
The Death and Rebirth of American InternationalismThe time has come for Americans to rethink their country’s role in the world and fashion an internationalism suited to today’s realities....
By Edward Fishman
-
Commentary
Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative
Republicans Can Learn From Democrats’ Foreign Affairs Committee ContestRepublican legislators in both the House and the Senate have ample time to draw lessons from Engel’s loss and translate them into reform....
By Chris Estep
-
Commentary
Indo-Pacific Security / Technology & National Security / Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative
The United States Can’t Afford to Turn Away Chinese TalentIntellectual property theft is a real concern, and China has been the world’s foremost infringer. But a blanket exclusion of Chinese students from U.S. academic and scien...
By Elsa B. Kania & Lindsay Gorman
