Election 2024: What are the Stakes for Global Democracy?
1Digest
This podcast series examines the global implications of the 2024 US election, particularly focusing on the potential impact of a Harrison Trump victory. The series delves into the global trend of democratic backsliding, highlighting the rise of authoritarianism and far-right movements. It explores the candidates' stances on global democracy, contrasting Harrison Trump's views with those who advocate for a more robust commitment to democratic values. The podcast emphasizes the potential consequences of a Trump victory, including a loss of US moral standing abroad, a shift towards alliances with dictatorships, and a fundamental change in America's role in the world. The series also explores the global trend of far-right autocrats, using the analogy of convergent evolution to explain their shared characteristics and interconnectedness. It highlights the growing influence of these movements and their potential impact on global politics. The podcast then shifts focus to America's potential for positive influence on democratic trends globally, acknowledging past mistakes but emphasizing the desire of democratic activists worldwide for US support. The series features interviews with experts, including Samantha Power, USAID administrator, and Sarah Marga, US foreign policy director at Open Society Foundations. They discuss the importance of narrative building, economic dimensions of democracy promotion, the need for a more flexible approach to funding, and the potential of a Harris administration to support democracy at home and abroad. The podcast also explores the intersection of AI and democracy, highlighting the need for regulation that balances innovation with safety and security. It emphasizes the importance of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including AI companies, think tanks, and advocates. The series concludes by discussing the potential upside of a Harris victory for global democracy, emphasizing the importance of the US election as a model for other countries and the potential for a Harris administration to inspire hope and progress.
Outlines
The Global Implications of the 2024 US Election
This episode introduces a series of special episodes leading up to the 2024 US election, focusing on the global implications of a Harrison Trump matchup. The series will explore key issues like the war in Ukraine, competition with China, and climate change.
The Battle for Global Democracy
This episode delves into the global democratic backsliding trend, highlighting the increasing number of elections worldwide, but not all being free and fair. The rise of authoritarianism and far-right movements is discussed, emphasizing the importance of the 2024 US election for the future of democracy.
Candidate Positions on Global Democracy
This episode examines the candidates' stances on global democracy. Harrison Trump's views are contrasted, highlighting their potential impact on international relations and the global democratic landscape.
The Stakes of a Trump Victory
Senator Chris Murphy outlines the potential consequences of a Trump victory, emphasizing the loss of moral standing abroad, a shift towards alliances with dictatorships, and a fundamental change in America's role in the world.
The Global Trend of Far-Right Autocrats
This episode explores the global trend of far-right autocrats, using the analogy of convergent evolution to explain their shared characteristics and interconnectedness. The episode highlights the growing influence of these movements and their potential impact on global politics.
America's Role in Supporting Global Democracy
This episode shifts focus to America's potential for positive influence on democratic trends globally. While acknowledging past mistakes, the episode emphasizes the desire of democratic activists worldwide for US support. The episode highlights the importance of updating approaches to meet the current moment.
The Potential of a Harris Administration
This episode explores the potential of a Harris administration to support democracy at home and abroad. Sarah Marga, US foreign policy director at Open Society Foundations, emphasizes the importance of partnership, listening, and engaging with a multiplicity of actors.
Keywords
Global Democratic Backsliding
A decline in democratic values and institutions worldwide, characterized by the rise of authoritarianism, far-right movements, and erosion of civil liberties.
Convergent Evolution
The process by which unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. This analogy is used to explain the shared characteristics and interconnectedness of far-right movements globally.
Democracy Delivers
A framework for promoting democracy by demonstrating its tangible benefits and addressing the economic grievances that fuel autocratic appeal.
Transnational Corruption
Corruption that extends beyond national borders, often involving illicit financial flows and networks of corrupt officials and businesses.
Media Viability Accelerator
A program designed to support independent media outlets by providing resources, training, and technical assistance to help them adapt to the digital age and maintain their role as watchdogs.
Digital Democracy Tools
Technologies that facilitate citizen participation in government, such as online platforms for crowdsourcing feedback on legislation, digital identity verification, and secure online payment systems.
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
A collaborative approach to foreign policy that involves a wide range of actors, including governments, civil society organizations, private sector companies, and academics.
AI Regulation
The process of establishing rules and guidelines for the development and use of artificial intelligence to ensure its ethical, safe, and responsible deployment.
Democratic Decline Indicators
Signs that suggest a weakening of democratic institutions and values, such as attacks on the judiciary, restrictions on civil liberties, and suppression of dissent.
Q&A
What are the potential consequences of a Trump victory in the 2024 US election for global democracy?
A Trump victory could lead to a loss of US moral standing abroad, a shift towards alliances with dictatorships, and a fundamental change in America's role in the world, potentially emboldening autocrats and undermining democratic values globally.
How are far-right movements around the world connected, and what is the significance of their growing influence?
Far-right movements share similar characteristics and face similar challenges, leading to a convergence of ideas and strategies. Their growing influence poses a significant threat to democratic institutions and values worldwide.
What are some of the key initiatives that the Biden administration has undertaken to promote democracy globally?
The Biden administration has focused on narrative building, emphasizing the benefits of democracy, addressing economic grievances, and developing new tools to combat corruption and support independent media.
How can the US leverage technology to support democracy in Ukraine and other countries?
The US can support the development and deployment of digital democracy tools, such as online platforms for citizen engagement, secure online payment systems, and digital identity verification, to strengthen democratic institutions and empower citizens.
What are some of the key areas where a Harris administration could make a significant impact on global democracy?
A Harris administration could prioritize partnership with other countries, engage with a wider range of actors, including civil society and the private sector, and focus on promoting democracy in regions where the US has been less engaged, such as Latin America and Africa.
How can the US ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that promotes democracy and human rights?
The US needs to establish clear regulations for AI that balance innovation with safety and security, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically, and that its development and deployment do not undermine democratic values or human rights.
What are some of the early warning signs of democratic decline, and how can the US proactively engage to prevent crises?
Indicators of democratic decline include attacks on the judiciary, restrictions on civil liberties, and suppression of dissent. The US can proactively engage with countries experiencing these trends to support democratic institutions and prevent further backsliding.
What is the potential impact of the 2024 US election on global democracy?
The 2024 US election is a pivotal moment for global democracy. A victory for democracy in the US could inspire hope and progress for democratic movements worldwide, while a victory for autocracy could embolden authoritarian leaders and further erode democratic values globally.
Show Notes
In this special episode of Pod Save the World, Ben looks at how this November’s election will impact global democracy. From the rise of autocracy and the far right, to U.S. efforts to support (or undermine) democratic values around the world, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump represent a stark choice. He’s joined by Senator Chris Murphy, USAID administrator Samantha Power, Sarah Margon, the US Foreign Policy Director at the Open Society Foundations, and Zack Beauchamp, Vox reporter and author of “The Reactionary Spirit”.
Table of contents
United States
what hypocrisy. American democracy? Bwahahaha! the empire strikes back. talk to the Comanches.