Hillary Clinton has said that charities need to lead the way in saving democracy. The former United States Secretary of State acknowledged the decline of democracy, noting that autocracies now outnumber democracies.
Clinton Advises Charities to Save Democracy
Hillary Clinton in an annual publication shared by the Clinton Foundation on X, has encouraged charities to lead the way in saving democracy. She highlighted that democracy is now under siege all over the world.
She noted that a number of factors that jointly endanger democratic ideals and institutions. The influence of technology on truth and trust and the repression of women’s rights were specifically noted as forces undermining the future of democracy.
Social media was identified as a tool that bad actors employ to cause division and generate viral disinformation. This made it hard to distinguish the truth from fiction.
Furthermore, the publication noted that the repression of women’s rights all over the world was an indication of the siege befalling human rights. She noted that fighting for women is also fighting for democracy.
Despite admitting that democracy is fragile, she wrote that civil societies illustrate that hope is far from lost. However, civil societies need to do many things all at once.
“No knight in shining armour is coming to save democracy. We’re the ones who will have to save our democracy and our rights. Civil society, philanthropies, activists, faith communities, mission-driven companies, citizens — we must lead the way,” read the publication.
To help free societies thrive, Hillary Clinton urged civil societies to help put in place a three-legged stool. The legs of the stool should be an open and dynamic market economy, an effective and accountable democratic government, and a vibrant civil society. She credited this vision with being the founding inspiration of the Clinton Foundation.
She additionally noted that the Clinton Foundation is bringing together leaders from the government, private sector, and civil societies. This collaboration is to the end of delivering and disseminating effective policy solutions.
The Rise of Autocratic Regimes across the World
A major point raised in the publication from the Clinton Foundation is the rise of autocratic regimes all over the world. It was noted that about three-quarters of the world’s population now live under autocratic regimes.
The publication further linked the rise of autocracy to the dismantling of economic and disaster relief programmes. An example is the discontinuation of USAID and other foreign assistance, which leaves a number of disadvantaged people at the risk of death.
This “democratic backsliding” was attributed to the purposeful undermining of the rule of law by the leaders. The publication criticised leaders for not only failing to protect human rights but also actively seizing and consolidating power.
While the publication listed nations such as Russia, Nicaragua, Hungary, and Turkey as a reflection of these problems, it also added the United States as part of the list. The United States has not only shut down its major foreign aid programme but has also exited United Nations organisations committed to the provision of aid.
