The struggle between the values of democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law, and authoritarian populism is playing out in many different places in the world today. In some countries, like Iran and China, the supporters of the cause of democracy are fighting a brave struggle

The odds against them seem overwhelming, but so they did in those countries living in the grip of Stalinism and it’s successors. The battle today is also being fought in Western democracies that have long assumed the battle is won - but we are seeing that the fight continues

Many years ago I wrote a book called “Exporting Democracy”’in which I describe the evolution of the democratic idea and how difficult the challenge is to keep it alive. In “What’s Happened to Politics” I described how a new populism, coupled with new technologies

Has transformed political communication and discourse. Being at the UN in New York is giving me new insights into how difficult meaningful communication is, how easily lies are spread, and the challenges our whole world is facing - but these challenges only reinforce the need

For the voices that believe in reason, evidence, civil debate, social justice, human dignity, honesty, equality, freedom, and solidarity to speak up. There is no guarantee we shall prevail, but it is certain we shall fail if we stop trying.