Freedom in the World 2018: Democracy in crisis

On January 17, AEI, Freedom House, and the Center for American Progress convened a group of experts to celebrate the launch of Freedom House’s report “Freedom in the World 2018.” In his introductory remarks, Freedom House’s Mike Abramowitz stressed that 2017 was the 12th consecutive year of decline in global freedom. In the first panel, the Center for American Progress’ John Norris mentioned that America must fulfill its commitment to supporting democracy abroad. Laura Rosenberger of the German Marshall Fund of the United States noted that public opinion of democracy is at a record low. AEI’s Danielle Pletka expressed support for those who escaped authoritarian regimes and now campaign against oppressive government. Open Russia’s Vladamir Kara-Murza stated that his goal is to stop Western countries from supporting kleptocracies.

In the second panel, AEI’s Ryan Streeter noted that democratic backsliding in America is a not a recent phenomenon. Freedom House’s Arch Puddington reflected on issues that have caused Americans to feel “less free.” New America’s Lee Drutman doubted that America’s political institutions could withstand hyper-partisanship, but R Street Institute’s Philip Wallach believed these institutions are strengthened by such conflict.

In his keynote, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) emphasized that while freedom is not unique to the United States, it is uniquely America’s advantage.

Democracy is in retreat globally and, some say, in the United States. Exacerbating the democratic backslide are authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China, which have increased both repression at home and efforts to export instability abroad. On the home front, indifference toward democratic principles is escalating, as America retreats from a historic commitment to democracy promotion.