The Democratic Imperative

Argues that democracy has inherent advantages over other forms of government, describes the tools with which we can spread the democratic system, and suggests foreign policy changes

Fossedal, Media Fellow at Hoover Institution, former editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal , and founding editor of the Dartmouth Review , argues that authoritarian regimes around the world are collapsing, democracy is on the ascendancy, and, where absolute rule remains, power is now wielded with less ruthlessness. He lauds U.S. efforts to hasten the departure of despots and vigorously champions American policies which promote democracy abroad. The author's deep conservative views often lead him onto shaky ground, as when he claims that Chile enjoys more economic freedom than does Sweden. Worse are clear errors of fact: Most countries do not enjoy a 90 percent literacy rate. Readers may well ask whether Fossedal is more a basher of Communists than a true democrat.
- Ian Wallace, Agriculture Canada Lib., St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.