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The Democrats America Is Leaving Behind
Laura Thornton in the Atlantic reminds us of the democracy fighters in autocracies, reminding us that the struggle between democracy and autocracy depends not on locations and borders, but is rooted in the values and ideas held by the people. The author criticises the approach taken by the Summit from Democracy and broader framing by President Biden, which continues to perpetuate the Cold War-era idea of a world divided between democracies and non-democracies. This approach is a mistake, as it shuts out important voices that should instead be placed front and centre in our discussion on revitalising democracy-- many of the most innovative strategies have come from activists operating in closed environments. Thornton contends that the key to a more stable and democratic future is including these actors in the discussion and providing them the support they need to fight autocracy from within.