Podcast Episodes
In the inaugural episode of the Forum’s new podcast, “Power 3.0 | Authoritarian Resurgence, Democratic Resilience,” Journal of Democracy co-editor Larry Diamond discusses “China and the Global Challenge to Democracy” with podcast co-hosts Christopher Walker and Shanthi Kalathil. Subscribe to the new podcast here.
The Hoover Institution’s Glenn Tiffert explores how structural and technological shifts in the global information environment are creating new opportunities for authoritarian regimes to manipulate information at the source in, “New Frontiers in Digital Censorship.”
Emeka Umejei discusses the extent to which Chinese investments may contribute to the replication of an authoritarian model of Internet governance with adverse consequences for democracy, freedom of expression, and human rights in “The Imitation Game: Will China’s Investments Reshape African Interests?”
In “India’s Interest in a Democratic Indo-Pacific,” Constantino Xavier outlines how the simultaneous rise of a democratic India and an authoritarian China impact the future of democracy in Asia and beyond.
Building upon the Center for International Private Enterprise‘s assessment of “corrosive capital” in the Balkans and other regions, Eric Hontz examines the role of Chinese and Russian investment in perpetuating poor governance in Central Asia.
Events
During her December 11 presentation, “Is the Party Over? Youth, Political Parties, and Elections in Georgia,” Vera Gogokhia discussed the role of youth in the recent Georgian elections, considered the roots of the current disconnect between political parties and young people, and discussed whether the gap can be bridged.
Ivan Krastev explained why illiberal and anti-Western sentiments continue to rise in Russia and Central Europe, and discussed how democratic forces can respond to this challenge during his November 5 discussion on “Imitation and its Discontents: Democratic Malaise in Post-Communist Europe.”
Highlights
NED Vice President for Studies and Analysis Christopher Walker testified on the threat of sharp power to the integrity of democracies in the context of cultural diplomacy before the Canadian Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade on November 1.
Democratic societies must reckon with the challenges presented by sharp power. The challenge is multifaceted, and so must be any response. Society-wide responses are needed that take into account the reality that the democracies cannot rely solely on governmental measures for meeting what is a complex, multidimensional challenge. At the same time, democracies must take care that they do not make things worse. Democratic systems cannot sacrifice their own standards and values as a way of safeguarding against the authoritarian sharp power.
—Christopher Walker, testimony before Canadian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
|