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 5, 2011 • Transcript
Thomas E. Graham on the End of the Cold War and Beyond
Graham discusses the turbulent period of the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s in Russia, including the relationship between Yeltsin and Gorbachev and the role ...
AUG 1, 2011 • Transcript
Gennady Burbulis on the Dissolution of the USSR
Burbulis was one of the drafters and signers of the 1991 Belavezha Accords, which declared the Soviet Union effectively dissolved. In this interview he discusses the ...
JUL 18, 2011 • Article
Legislating Transparency in the Extractive Sector: Will the Securities and Exchange Commission Take the Lead?
The SEC has an opportunity to demonstrate that the United States takes transparency and accountability seriously and intends to act as a global leader in ...
JUL 12, 2011 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Legislating Transparency in the Extractive Sector
The SEC has an opportunity to demonstrate that the United States takes transparency and accountability seriously and intends to act as a global leader in ...
JUN 24, 2011 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Justice
In "To Kill a Mockingbird" an innocent man is wrongfully sentenced. The author argues that all we can do in the face of injustice is ...
JUN 14, 2011 • Transcript
Alexandr Urmanov on Democratic Elections and Campaigning for Yeltsin
Urmanov recalls his relationship with Yeltsin--he directed his presidential campaign in 1989/1990--and with the Krieble Institute, which trained Russians in election techniques. Urmanov brought Institute ...
JUN 10, 2011 • Podcast
John Brademas and Mickey Edwards: Civility in Politics
Two distinguished former politicians, one Democrat and one Republican, agree on concrete proposals for improving U.S. politics. They include campaign finance reform; abolishing gerrymandering; ...
JUN 10, 2011 • Podcast
Mikhail Reznikov on Working to Bring Democracy to Russia
When Krieble Institute representatives from the U.S. first visited Russia, it was "like a collision of civilizations," recalls Reznikov. He got involved in Russian ...
MAY 27, 2011 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: The Art of Inconclusiveness
The new film ANPO: Art X War tells the story of U.S.-Japan relations through the lives of artists who were influenced by the 1960...
MAY 19, 2011 • Transcript
Interview with Gavriil Popov, First Democratically Elected Mayor of Moscow
Gavriil Popov was mayor of Moscow in the turbulent days of the early 1990s, and his key appointees played crucial roles in bringing about the ...