The Pitfalls of Aid

The United States must not be dissuaded from restoring the promotion of freedom and democracy as a core principle of U.S. foreign policy. Democracy assistance is both a reflection of American values and in America's strategic interests. America's next president will be challenged to revitalize the democracy agenda — and get it right. What's needed to address the challenges of the 21st century is a more versatile approach based on the requirements of each country and tailored to the characteristics of different regime types — authoritarian regimes, illiberal democracies, free-wheeling kleptocracies and post-conflict countries