The Case for Democracy
Encyclopedia
The Case for Democracy is a foreign policy
manifesto written by one-time Soviet political prisoner and former Israel
i Member of the Knesset
, Natan Sharansky
. Sharansky's friend Ron Dermer
is the book's co-author. The book achieved the bestsellers list of the New York Times, Washington Post and Foreign Affairs
.
In the book, Sharansky and Dermer argue that the primary goal of American foreign policy
, as well as that of the free world
, should be the expansion of democracy. The book advocates a moral foreign policy based on belief in the universality of freedom and human rights
. Sharansky and Dermer argue that nations that respect their citizens will also respect their neighbors. The book is sub-titled, The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror. The authors express passionate and controversial arguments against any compromise on the road to freedom.
It has been read and famously endorsed by George W. Bush
. Other members of his administration, such as Condoleezza Rice
, have also read the book.
Foreign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries...
manifesto written by one-time Soviet political prisoner and former Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i Member of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
, Natan Sharansky
Natan Sharansky
Natan Sharansky was born in Stalino, Soviet Union on 20 January 1948 to a Jewish family. He graduated with a degree in applied mathematics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. As a child, he was a chess prodigy. He performed in simultaneous and blindfold displays, usually against...
. Sharansky's friend Ron Dermer
Ron Dermer
Ron Dermer is an American born Israeli political consultant. He serves as senior advisor to current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He formerly served as Israel's Minister for Economic Affairs in the United States, a position requiring him to give up his American...
is the book's co-author. The book achieved the bestsellers list of the New York Times, Washington Post and Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is an American magazine and website on international relations and U.S. foreign policy published since 1922 by the Council on Foreign Relations six times annually...
.
In the book, Sharansky and Dermer argue that the primary goal of American foreign policy
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as well as that of the free world
Free World
The Free World is a Cold War-era term often used to describe states not under the rule of the Soviet Union, its Eastern European allies, China, Vietnam, Cuba, and other communist nations. The term often referred to states such as the United States, Canada, and Western European states such as the...
, should be the expansion of democracy. The book advocates a moral foreign policy based on belief in the universality of freedom and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. Sharansky and Dermer argue that nations that respect their citizens will also respect their neighbors. The book is sub-titled, The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror. The authors express passionate and controversial arguments against any compromise on the road to freedom.
It has been read and famously endorsed by George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Other members of his administration, such as Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
, have also read the book.
Sources
- Natan Sharansky, Ron Dermer, The Case for Democracy. The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror, (2004, ISBN 1-58648-261-0, hardcover) (2006, ISBN 0-89221-644-1 paperback).
External links
- Washington Times interview with George Bush where he comments on the book.