Democracy

The former secretary of state presents a sweeping look at the global struggle for democracy and why America must continue to support the cause of freedom.

From the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union to the ongoing struggle for human rights in the Middle East, Condoleezza Rice has served on the front lines of history. She first witnessed an awakening of freedom as a child, when her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, became the epicenter of the civil rights movement for black Americans.

Now Rice explains what these epochal events teach us about democracy. At a time when people around the world are wondering whether democracy is in decline, Rice shares insights from her experiences as a policymaker, scholar, and citizen, in order to put democracy’s challenges into perspective.

Using America’s long struggle as a template, Rice draws lessons for democracy around the world—from Russia, Poland, and Ukraine, to Kenya, Colombia, and the Middle East. She finds that no transitions to democracy are the same because every country starts in a different place. Pathways diverge and sometimes circle backward. Time frames for success vary dramatically, and countries often suffer false starts before getting it right. But, Rice argues, that does not mean they should not try.

“This heartfelt and at times very moving book shows why democracy proponents are so committed to their work.”—The New York Times