For centuries, dictators, despots and kings justified repression by insisting that stability could be achieved only with an iron hand. More recently, new rationales for autocracy were developed, suggesting that democracy was solely a product of the West and inconsistent with the values of other traditions. Even today, some proclaim that democracy in poor societies must first be preceded by development, as if democracy were not itself an essential ingredient of prosperity.
However, the human desire for freedom is both universal and unquenchable. For the first time in history, more than half the world's population lives under elected governments. Scores of countries have adopted the system, particularly since 1975, and opinion research consistently finds that a majority of people in every region of the world now believes that democracy is the best form of government.
NDI has supported the advancement of democracy in nearly every corner of every continent, monitoring elections, training political leaders, supporting civic engagement, promoting opportunities for women and helping build democratic institutions. Every country is different, and embarks on its own unique path to a democratic outcome. But throughout our 30 year history, certain truths come up again and again — lessons that we apply to all our programs.
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