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 12, 2010 • Article
China's State Capitalism Poses Ethical Challenges
In China, robust growth is a good thing, as long as it doesn't undermine the leadership's monopoly hold on political power. The Chinese leadership will ...
JUL 27, 2010 • Podcast
Taiwan: Building Partnerships for Asia-Pacific Economic Integration
Since 2008, Taiwan has quietly pursued new political and economic initiatives with China, and the likelihood of conflict across the Taiwan Strait has diminished. What are ...
JUL 26, 2010 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Diversifying Diplomacy
Independent Diplomat's goal of giving diplomatic assistance on a not-for-profit basis fills a niche in international politics and may broaden the understanding of diplomacy in ...
JUL 9, 2010 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: Mexico: Violence and Democracy
Must governments meet violence with an authoritarian response? In the recent Mexican election, citizens could demand a crackdown on druglords at the price of personal ...
JUL 1, 2010 • Article
The Bloom is off the Rose--and the Orange, and the Tulip
What went wrong with the "Color Revolutions" in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan? It was a combination of excessive expectations of the new leaders, and some ...
JUN 30, 2010 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Migrant Detention Leads to Harm
Detention is costly in economic and human terms. If EU states wish to sustain their migration management policies, they will have to rely more on ...
JUN 22, 2010 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Pragmatic Overdose
The Obama administration is trying to redefine and energize U.S. global development policy, but so far their vision lacks creativity and clear ethics.
JUN 22, 2010 • Podcast
Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future
Stephen Kinzer argues that the United States needs to rethink its alliances in the Middle East and focus on strategic relationships with Iran and Turkey ...
MAY 10, 2010 • Podcast
Open Primaries: William Vocke Interviews Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor of California
Under the current system, California has a deadlocked, polarized legislature that can't get anything done, says Lt. Gov. Maldonado. The solution is to create an ...
APR 30, 2010 • Podcast
Global Ethics Corner: British Elections: To Represent or to Govern?
Should election results accurately reflect public opinion or should elections promote effective governance?