Framing ethical perspectives
Democracy is a form of government in which political control is given to the people, whether directly or through the election of governing officials. Currently, large numbers of people have lost faith in this form of government and some elected officials have been working to dismantle democratic institutions. Our programs, events, and experts strive to better understand this development.
Featured Democracy Resources
State of global democracy, U.S. global engagement, and more
FEB 6, 2026 • Article
Trump and the Gaslighting of American Realism
APR 9, 2026 • Article
Realism vs. Pragmatism: Understanding America’s New Rhetorical Landscape
Amid Trump's fiery rhetoric and debates over "realism," Professor Jason Ralph writes that "pragmatism" may offer a better alternative for the American public.
SEP 11, 2025 • Video
Post-Liberal American Power
In the first event in our "Values & Interests" series, an expert panel examines the question: Has Trump 2.0 ushered in an era of post-liberal American power?
Related Initiatives
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
Explore Our Democracy Resources
AUG 4, 2014 • Article
Toward Understanding Our World's Moral Landscape: Carnegie Council's Centennial Projects on a "Global Ethic"
As part of its Centennial activities, Carnegie Council launched several projects, including the Global Ethical Dialogues and Thought Leaders Forum, to explore the concept of ...
AUG 2, 2014 • Article
Modern Europe's Roma: Still Denied Social Justice
Despite sustained EU efforts to develop a vigorous Roma inclusion policy, the vast majority of the 10–12 million strong European Roma remain severely marginalized, frequent targets ...
JUL 22, 2014 • Article
Japan’s "'76ers" Gain Global Attention: New Liberal Elite Can Change Japan
In this "Nikkei Business" interview, Carnegie Council Senior Fellow discusses his research on Japan's generation known as "76ers"--i.e. those born around 1976. He talked ...
JUN 25, 2014 • Article
The Participation Gap
"Inequality doesn't result only from differences in income or wealth (the focus of French economist Thomas Piketty). It also has a political dimension, fueled by ...
JUN 23, 2014 • Podcast
Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East
How did the Arab Revolt and Lawrence of Arabia shape the Middle East? And how are Lawrence's actions of a century ago still being felt ...
JUN 18, 2014 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Of Moonshots and Slingshots
Only if policy people and technologists work together better will we change the world in ways that are congruent with our most critical human needs ...
JUN 12, 2014 • Podcast
A Conversation with Law Professor and Columnist Rosa Brooks on Obama's Foreign Policy
With an insider's perspective, Rosa Brooks candidly discusses U.S. foreign policy, from Kosovo to Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine, along with her views on Barack ...
JUN 6, 2014 • Podcast
The Last Empire: The Final Days of the Soviet Union
Serhii Plokhy presents a bold new interpretation of the Soviet Union's final months, which places Ukraine at the center of the drama. And by providing ...
JUN 6, 2014 • Article
The European Parliament Elections and Rise of the Far Right: Three Reasons for Reassurance, Three for Concern
The European Parliament election results are in, and the ominous has become the grim reality. Fueled by high unemployment across the continent and anti-immigrant anger, ...
JUN 1, 2014 • Podcast
Sectarian Politics in the Gulf: From the Iraq War to the Arab Uprisings
It's tempting to see today's Middle East conflicts as the continuation of centuries-old sectarian divisions, but Frederick Wehrey cautions against it. "Sectarianism is really a ...