Democracy, Human Rights & Governance

Description

Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) programs expand space for a vibrant civil society and independent media; strengthen political and government institutions to be responsive to citizens’ needs; promote transparency and accountability; cultivate the rule of law; foster equitable economic growth; advance tolerance and inclusiveness; protect human and labor rights; and support credible elections.

What does it buy?

DRG programs expand political participation by training domestic election observers and providing voter and civic education for millions of citizens. Programs strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders and national human rights institutions, and train justice and security sector personnel on human rights norms and practices.DRG programs provide technical leadership through research, training, and dissemination of best practices in anti-corruption, security sector reform, and legislative strengthening.

Why is it important?

• Citizen responsive governments elected in a free and fair election better focus on the needs of the people versus the wants of a few.
• Democracy can better ensure the rights and participation of people within a society, including women, youth, ethnic and religious minorities, and other marginalized groups.
• Freedom and civil liberties are best enabled by a democratically elected government. Rights such as freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and religion better allow for the safeguarding of people.
• Democracy provides stability in times of turmoil and opportunity in its aftermath.

Why should Americans care?

• DRG programs promote American values and support developing countries’ efforts to achieve economic and political self-determination, and realize individual rights.
• DRG assistance is a cost-effective investment in U.S. foreign policy goals. Stable democracies make better trading partners, provide opportunities for U.S. businesses, and advance economic freedom and regional security. In an interconnected world, what happens inside countries transcends borders and regions, especially when it comes to terrorism, disease, and migration.

What more could be done?

• The state of global democracy is always in flux. Greater U.S. leadership and investment could help sustain positive trends and seize new opportunities when new openings emerge in the democratic space.
• Additional funds could increase global resistance to Russian and Chinese disinformation tactics preventing them from spreading disinformation, interfering in election processes, and destabilizing American allies.
• Governments persecute marginalized communities—such as LGBTQI people, women, and religious and ethnic minorities—in many places across the globe. Stronger U.S. leadership would provide greater support for programming that seeks to protect at-risk communities.
• Additional funds could increase programming that combats corruption, weak rule of law, and other anti-competitive behaviors that adversely impact U.S. economic interests and American security.
• Emerging democracies continue to need assistance as backsliding into repressive regimes and autocracy is more likely in the early stages of a country’s democratic journey.

*These figures have been updated from the print version.