In Support of Democracy

Ronald Reagan’s landmark 1982 speech to the UK Parliament at the Palace of Westminster was a clarion call that underscored the belief that "we must be staunch in our conviction that freedom is not the sole prerogative of a lucky few but the inalienable and universal right of all human beings."

At a time when the West faced the threat of Soviet totalitarianism, Reagan articulated a vision to counter the immediate danger and emphasize the importance of supporting democratic movements globally. The Cold War context provided a powerful backdrop for Reagan’s argument.

“We are approaching the end of a bloody century plagued by a terrible political invention-totalitarianism. Optimism comes less easily today, not because democracy is less vigorous but because democracy’s enemies have refined their instruments of repression,” he said.

Reflecting on Reagan’s vision, it is clear that our approach to supporting democracy must also adapt to contemporary realities.

The legacy of his administration's commitment to democracy shaped US foreign policy, focusing on the support of dissidents and fostering democratic ideals and institutions—free and fair elections, free expression, and a free press—in nations grappling with oppressive regimes. This proactive stance advanced the cause of freedom and ultimately contributed to the collapse of totalitarian regimes in Eastern Europe and beyond. Reagan's assertion that the struggle for democracy is a universal endeavor remains relevant today.

Today’s challenges, however, are more diverse and complex. While we still confront authoritarian regimes, the nature of these threats has evolved. Growing cooperation among autocratic regimes and the use of new tools and methods to suppress democratic discourse and repress those advocating for greater freedoms complicate the landscape of global democracy. Reflecting on Reagan’s vision, it is clear that our approach to supporting democracy must also adapt to these contemporary realities.

The essence of supporting democracy lies in championing elections and fostering the very fabric of democratic governance. As we witnessed in Eastern Europe during Reagan’s era, grassroots movements often led the fight for freedom. It is crucial to empower civil society organizations and local communities, as these voices are essential in resisting authoritarian influences and shaping their own democratic narratives.

Those who fight for freedom and democracy do so at great risk. We have supported their struggle because it is the right thing to do but it is also the smart thing to do.

As advocates for democracy, we must also support efforts to educate citizens about their rights and the principles of governance that uphold democratic institutions. A well-informed public is the backbone of any democracy, as history has shown that ignorance can be exploited by those who seek to undermine democratic norms. Moreover, the role of technology cannot be overlooked. In our globalized world, digital platforms can serve as both tools for promoting democracy and weapons for repression.  We must champion the principles of an open internet while fostering digital literacy to safeguard against disinformation that threatens democratic discourse.

Our past and present work with the National Endowment for Democracy, the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Solidarity Center, and the Center for International Private Enterprise, along with other organizations, has shown us that people all over the world want democracy, freedom, and liberty. They demand dignity and a political voice. And, as we just learned in Syria, autocratic regimes appear stable…until they are not.

Those who fight for freedom and democracy do so at great risk. We have supported their struggle because it is the right thing to do but it is also the smart thing to do. Unlike that famous tagline in tourism marketing, what happens in places like Caracas, Damascus, Moscow, and Kiev does not stay there. Hot spots that are most likely to erupt into violence are predominantly found in nondemocratic areas of the world. These are places that experience ethnic conflict and civil war, that generate refugee flows across borders, harbor terrorists and produce illegal drugs. And, the regimes that repress their own citizens are most likely to act aggressively beyond their own borders.

Supporting democracy is an investment in a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for all citizens, and the US must be on the right side of history.

There is yet another reason to prioritize democracy, and that has to do with the efforts of adversaries—such as China, Russia, and Iran—that have formed new alliances. They are not linked by ideologies, but by power and money. They now work cooperatively and globally, and because their natural allies are autocratic regimes or terrorist organizations, they seek to prevent democracy where it does not exist and to undermine democratic institutions and processes where it does.

Supporting democracy is an investment in a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for all citizens, and the US must be on the right side of history. Over the past four decades, there has been a growing bipartisan consensus in the United States around advancing democracy. Just as Reagan galvanized support across party lines in his commitment to combating totalitarianism, we too must continue to rally together—Republicans and Democrats alike—to forge a collective strategy for supporting freedom worldwide.

In short, supporting democracy represents the convergence of American values and interests. The legacy of Ronald Reagan’s Westminster speech, when he declared that “optimism is in order because, day by day, democracy is proving itself to be a not-at-all fragile flower,” calls us to reaffirm our commitment to freedom, not just as a lofty ideal but as a practical necessity.

Frank Fahrenkopf is a cofounder of the International Republican Institute and one of the founders of the National Endowment for Democracy. Kenneth Wollack has, for the past four years, served as chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy and is a former president of the National Democratic institute. They have worked together as co chairs of the US Presidential Debate Commission.

Cover photo: A man has his photo taken by an electoral worker before voting during the presidential elections in Yola, Nigeria, Saturday, February 25, 2023. AP Photo/Sunday Alamba.