Bolstering Democracy: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

The rise of the Trump administration has changed the face of US politics forever. For authors Dr. Mathew J. Burrows and Dr. Maria J. Stephan, this seems to herald the backing away from supporting democracy. When America’s president seems indifferent about protecting the institutions of democracy, citizens may feel disinclined to remember the lessons history has taught us.

Burrows and Stephan have compiled this guide as a reminder of the absolute necessity of supporting democracy in the fight against authoritarianism and the potential erosion of a just way of life. Using case studies involving Cuba, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Indonesia, they illustrate the challenges that support for democracy faces and explore

• the importance of knowing when outside actors should back off,
• the need for effective collaboration,
• the best ways to effect a nonviolent transition in government,
• the role of the private sector in supporting democracy, and
• important insights about the long and complicated process of instituting and cultivating democracy.

These case studies demonstrate the truth about how fragile young democracies are—and the difficulties of outside support for them.

Dr. Mathew J. Burrows is a former counselor to the National Intelligence Council and is the current director of the Atlantic Council's Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative at the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. His work involves working with decision makers to help create a more just and prosperous world.

Dr. Maria J. Stephan is the former coleader of the Future of Authoritarianism Project at the Atlantic Council. She currently serves as the director of the Program on Nonviolent Action at the US Institute of Peace. Her work explores the impact of nonviolent action as a means to end violent conflict and advance peace.