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Support for democracy has been a priority of U.S. foreign policy since the earliest days of the republic, and its advantages over other forms of government have come to be accepted globally. But there are many manifestations of democratic governance – how it is achieved and how it delivers for its citizens – that are the subject of continuing debate. To help illuminate this debate, NDI has collected commentary from its own experts and others along with some of the key documents upon which democracy programs are based.
Our Perspectives
Commentary from NDI Board members and staff on democracy promotion generally and on specific NDI programs. | Read more »
News and Views
Commentary from experts on the directions and challenges of democracy promotion programs. | Read more »
Key Documents
A library of the basic documents upon which democracy programs are based. | Read more »
New Additions
Our Perspectives
Democracy is a natural human need – interview with Madeleine Albright
In an interview with LiberteWorld, NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright said the world is seeing a fourth wave of democratization. In that regard, she speaks about the connections between the third wave of democratization in Central and Eastern Europe and the fourth wave in the Middle East and North Africa.
"People everywhere want to be able to make decisions about their own lives. Democracy is a natural feeling for people and I have never agreed with those who say X country or X area is not ready for democracy."
Jan. 12, 2012 | Read»
'Not wanting to take it anymore'
NDI's Les Campbell, regional director for Middle East and North Africa programs, compares 2011's Arab Spring to the fall of the Berlin Wall in this article about the Tunisian spark that started the protests across the region.
"These are tectonic shifts," said Campbell of the changes in Arab governance. "It was unimaginable a couple of years ago. But at the same time it has been a long time coming. ... This is about human dignity and people not wanting to take it anymore."
Dec. 28, 2011 | Read»
News and Views
Watching Elephants Fly
Columnist Thomas Friedman argues that journalists did not see the Egyptian revolution coming, which means they likely don't know where it's going, so they should be taking notes and learning before making assumptions and writing.
"The country needs a leader — there is still a huge vacuum at the top — who can take all those votes, all those hopes, and meld them into a strategy to create the jobs, schooling, justice and security that all Egyptians clearly crave. If that happens, those ballot boxes really will have delivered a different future for Egypt. Until then, I am just taking notes."
Jan. 7, 2012 | Read more»
Stomping on human rights in Egypt
David Kramer, president of Freedom House, one of organizations raided by Egyptian security forces on Dec. 29, writes that the raids were an unprecendented assault and that the timing — just days before the final round of lower parliament elections — is noteworthy. Kramer also writes that Egypt's military has "hijacked the revolution," and the international community must respond to the raids, suggesting the United States threaten to end military assistance in Egypt until "such behavior ceases."
"These attacks were a major setback to the hopes that emerged this year with the revolution in Tahrir Square. If corrective measures are not taken, the attacks will severely damage Egypt’s long-term stability and prospects for a more democratic future."
Dec. 29, 2011 | Read more»
Pictured above: NDI President Kenneth Wollack (center), with Lorne Craner (left), the president of the International Republican Institute, and Ambassador Robert Neumann at a panel discussion.
