A guest essay written by Roger Williams Straus Professor of Politics, Jan-Werner Mueller, discusses Joe Biden’s Summit for Democracy. The opinion-section essay, “Biden is Selling Democracy Short” was published in The New York Times on December 9, the first day of a two-day virtual meeting with representation from world government, civil society and private sector leaders. Professor Mueller explains that the focus of the summit should not be on the competition between autocracy and democracy, and which can deliver stability and growth more readily; rather it should highlight which political system can ensure the priceless fundamental of political equality for its people. There are many worthy goals to achieve at the summit and a basic aim is to affirm the virtues of democracy which serve to secure the standing of all citizens.

The New York Times essay can be read here.