Challenging the Need for Democracy as a National Interest

Abstract

The United States should continue to support, shape, and encourage democracy around the world. However, the U.S should continue to engage by assisting the growth of freedom but without demanding democratization from nations and leaders. The U.S. should not elevate democracy pursuit as a "battle cry" which then serves to make us a lightning rod for accusations of hypocrisy and double standards, ultimately diminishing the message of democracy and the legitimacy of the United States. Instead, it should consider returning to a more humble posture and refrain from positioning itself as the world's savior through the establishment of democracy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 08, 2009
Accession Number
ADA498131

Entities

People

  • Leela J. Gray

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Climate Change
  • Education
  • Foreign Policy
  • Foreign Relations
  • Globalization
  • Governments
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Political Systems
  • Second World War
  • Security
  • Standards
  • Strategic Communications
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies