Democracy as a political system has not advanced around the world in the past decade and by some measures it has actually declined, a new report from the Congressional Research Service observes.
The obstacles are not all located abroad. Unlike its predecessors, the Trump Administration does not include democracy promotion as part of its national security strategy, CRS noted. And for the first time last year, the Economist Intelligence Unit categorized the United States as a “flawed democracy.”
See Global Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S. Policy, and Issues for Congress, October 17, 2018.
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Issues, October 16, 2018
The Peace Corps: Current Issues, updated October 12, 2018
NIH Funding: FY1994-FY2019, updated October 15, 2018
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Funding for FY2019, CRS In Focus, updated October 15, 2018
Increasing women in leadership roles is important for gender parity and bringing in new perspectives, but it does not guarantee peace.
To address challenges posed by increased extreme heat, USAID should mobilize finance through environmental impact bonds focused on scaling extreme heat adaptation solutions.
These recommendations can catapult the Advisory Committee structure into one that continues providing the government with the best advice.
Without the permitting workforce needed for implementation, the American public will not reap the benefits of rural broadband access, resilient supply chains, and clean, accessible water.