Democracy in the United States and around the globe has taken more than a few punches during the past two decades. According to Freedom House, 2021 was the 16th consecutive year in which there were more countries that declined in freedom than those that improved.
The twentieth century framing of democracy, still too prevalent in U.S. public debate, is that the United States has perfected democratic practice and now exports it to the world. In practice, acknowledging its own flaws and challenges makes the United States stronger, and its partners more open.
So what can the United States do to make improvements at home, with the aim of also encouraging progress abroad? This panel discussion offers compelling solutions, including regulating the big tech platforms, investing in new pro-democracy international organizations, and fighting for climate justice at the local level.
Speakers
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Nazanin Ash
Speaker
Nazanin Ash is CEO of Welcome.US, a new national initiative built to mobilize Americans from all corners to welcome and support those seeking refuge in the United States.
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Michael Cohen
Moderator
Michael Cohen is a non-resident senior fellow at the Center for Strategic Studies at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, a columnist at MSNBC and the Daily Beast, and the publisher of the newsletter Truth and Consequences.
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Laleh Ispahani
Speaker
Laleh Ispahani is managing director of Programs at the Open Society Foundations.
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Thomas Perriello
Speaker
Until July 2023, Tom Perriello was executive director of Open Society-U.S.
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Michael Tomasky
Speaker (introductory remarks)
Michael Tomasky is editor of Democracy Journal and the New Republic, and author of the new book, The Middle Out, about the fight for a more progressive economics.
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