In the Dallas Morning News, NED President and CEO Damon Wilson and Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute David J. Kramer argue that promoting democratic values globally is defending Americans at home.
Two decades ago, President George W. Bush stood before the National Endowment for Democracy and declared, “the advance of freedom is the calling of our time.” He argued that liberty at home depends on the success of liberty abroad — and that supporting freedom overseas isn’t charity or idealism; it’s a strategic imperative for American security.
As leaders of institutions committed to freedom, we know this work is not easy, but we believe it is essential.
From Russia and China to Venezuela and Iran, authoritarian regimes are pushing back against everything we stand for. They aren’t just challenging our ideals. They’re working to build a world order where dissent is crushed, American businesses and workers can’t compete fairly, and U.S. influence is sidelined.
America plays a vital role in this struggle. The world and American national interests are much better served by having the United States be the leader of the democratic community of nations, pushing back against the authoritarian resurgence. Working closely with fellow democracies is critical, but no other country can substitute for our leadership.
Democracy assistance is not about telling other countries how to govern themselves but providing technical, moral and financial support for local leaders already working to fix their societies — on their terms. These activists seek our help and look to the United States for support. They are reformers seeking honest government, stronger institutions and safer communities — not foreign-imposed models.
Our adversaries know what’s at stake: A world with fewer democracies is a world where America loses. The question is simple: Will we lead or will we cede the field to our authoritarian adversaries?
Read the full op-ed at the Dallas Morning News.
