Democracy Dialogue

NDI President Kenneth Wollack (center), with Lorne Craner (left), the president of the International Republican Institute, and Ambassador Robert Neumann at a panel discussion.

Support for democracy has been a priority of U.S. foreign policy since the earliest days of the republic, and its advantages over other forms of government have come to be accepted globally. But there are many manifestations of democratic governance – how it is achieved and how it delivers for its citizens – that are the subject of continuing debate. To help illuminate this debate, NDI has collected commentary from its own experts and others along with some of the key documents upon which democracy programs are based.

Our Perspectives

Commentary from NDI Board members and staff on democracy promotion generally and on specific NDI programs. | Read more »

News and Views

Commentary from experts on the directions and challenges of democracy promotion programs. | Read more »

Key Documents

A library of the basic documents upon which democracy programs are based. | Read more »

New Additions

OUR PERSPECTIVES

A Guide to the Pakistani Taliban’s ‘reign of terror’ ahead of elections

Foreign Policy

Ahead of Pakistan’s May 11 polls, unrelenting violence has delayed elections in several districts and resulted in over 100 casualties. Terrorists continue targeting politicians and candidates, also indiscriminately killing civilians and supporters.

"‘It is pretty clear that this is the most violent election I have witnessed in 23 years’ of election monitoring in Pakistan, Peter Manikas of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs told the Washington Post. ‘It's a different type of violence in trying to disrupt the election as a whole. It makes everything unsafe.’"

05/09/2013

Guinea on Brink of Chaos Over Long-Delayed Poll

Reuters

Tension caused by the failure of Guinea’s politicians to agree on a date for a delayed legislative poll to complete the country’s transition to civilian rule is resulting in violence, jeopardizing the economy and causing fear that the military will step in. Between February and April, there have been at least 12 deaths and over 300 injuries from violence related to the polls, originally scheduled for 2011.

"‘The risks for Guinea are enormous,’ said Christopher Fomunyoh, Africa regional director for Washington-based think tank National Democratic Institute (NDI). ‘The ethnic undertones to the political debate in Guinea are growing increasingly polarizing.’"

05/01/2013

NEWS AND VIEWS

Pakistan’s Turbulent Elections Present an Opportunity

German Marshall Fund

Daniel Twining, a senior fellow for Asia with the German Marshall Fund of the United States who recently participated in an NDI delegation to observe Pakistan’s May 11 elections, noted that from his perspective on the ground, Pakistan appeared to be “a country whose people desperately want good governance and economic opportunity, and believe their democratic choice may help deliver it.”

But Twining also describes “another Pakistan,” where despite the historic voter turnout and peaceful transition of democratic leadership, nearly 150 people were killed in election-related violence over the last month. Incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif now faces “enormous expectations” dealing with issues like the economy, corruption and the Taliban.

"Sharif has pledged to focus on expanding reliable energy supply and economic reforms to catalyze growth and job creation. Although Pakistani democracy received a fillip from Saturday’s vote, the authoritarian temptation will return if this government cannot put the country on a sustainable economic trajectory. That will require a prime minister who not only can leverage his private-sector background to press for real reforms, but also roll back the corruption and misgovernance that have condemned Pakistan to lackluster economic growth."

05/15/2013

Pakistan's Hopeful Election

The New York Times

Despite violence leading up to Pakistan’s parliamentary election last weekend, about 60 percent of voters showed up to the polls and the country has achieved a peaceful transition of power in a place “where coups have predominated.”

Though there are charges of vote-rigging to be investigated, most of the country seems ready to accept the partial poll returns that suggest former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his party will dominate the next Parliament. Mr. Sharif and the country face a number of challenges, such as a faltering economy, making peace with India and improving relations with the U.S.

“Ultimately, the success of democracies and the politicians they produce depend on good governance. It is up to Mr. Sharif to prove that strong civilian leadership can turn things around in Pakistan.”

05/14/2013

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.