Democracy Education

The U.S. has had a long tradition of supporting and promoting democratic ideals and values. Articulated strongly by President Woodrow Wilson, American internationalism found its modern focus in Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who solidified the nation’s commitment to the “Four Freedoms” and democracy around the world. That commitment remained a core value throughout the cold war, and intensified dramatically in its aftermath. As a result, the 1990’s saw an explosion of democracy promotion efforts via United States government and NGO initiatives. Similarly, Europe has also been very active in democracy promotion around the world for decades, and has established important models for its support. The material cited here assesses and analyzes the experience of these initiatives and their success, as well as addressing the field’s future.

• Axelrod, Robert. 2005. Promoting Democracy through International Organizations. In Reforming the United Nations for Peace and Security, ed. Ernesto Zadillo, 19-38. New Haven: Yale Center for the Study of Globalization.
• Herman, Robert & Piccone, Theodore J.: Defending Democracy: A Global Survey of Foreign Policy Trends 1992-2002. Democracy Coalition Project, Inc. 2002.
• An Appeal to the World Bank to Support Democracy: “When Politics Corrupts Money” a New York Times Op-Ed
• Pinkney, Robert: “Can and Should Europe Export Democracy to Africa?” Democracy and Nature, Vol. 5#2, 1999.
• Ronald Reagan at Westminster: 8 June 1982
• President George W. Bush at Warsaw 15 June 2001
• Brian Atwood, Executive Vice President of Citizens Energy Corporation, 22 October, 2001   “Foreign Assistance: The Fourth Dimension in the War Against Terrorism"
• CCD President Emeritus John Richardson and President Richard C. Rowson: Democracy and Civic Education, International Herald Tribune, Dec 6, 02
• Andrew S. Natsios (USAID): Foreign Assistance Builds a Foundation for Sustainability Apr 10, 02
• Powell Says Report Captures U.S. Respect for Human Rights Jun 24, 03
• Craner Says Report Integrates Policy with Rights Reporting Jun 24, 03
• White House Fact Sheet on Bush Administration Accomplishments in Promoting Democracy around the World Nov 06, 03
• President Bush’s Address at the 20th Anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy Nov 06, 03
• The Wrong Way to Sell Democracy to the Arab World Mar 8, 04
• President George W. Bush at Galatasary University 29 June 2004
• Community of Democracies Bucharest NGO Forum Nov 14-15, 03, Bucharest, Romania
  • Concept Paper
  • Agenda
• Civic Education Conference to be held at the Pocantico Conference Center Jun 8-10, 03
• Experts to Devise Global Strategy on Teaching Democracy Jun 8-10, 03
• Summary of Major Recommendations of the Pocantico Strategic Plan for Democracy Education Jul 02, 03
• Pocantico Global Strategic Planning Conference on Education for Democracy Jul 02, 03
• Educators Agree on Global Plan for Democracy