WSJ: President Obama's Rhetorical Shift on Democracy
By Keona Padgett
June 9, 2009

In an opinion piece from June 6, 2009, The Wall Street Journal claims that President Obama’s rhetorical shift on democracy in his speech on the Middle East in Cairo was “a pleasant surprise.”  He received applause when he talked of his “commitment ‘to governments that reflect the will of the people’ and ‘freedom to live as you choose,’” however his Administration has cut funding support for democracy promotion.

In Egypt alone the U.S. has cut support for democracy programs from $50 million to $20 million.  According to The Wall Street Journal, funding for independent democracy groups will decrease by at least 70 percent, and Margaret Scobey, the U.S. ambassador to Egypt, cut $11 million in funding for civil society programs last month.  The program called “New Generation,” which is run by Freedom House which brings Egyptian activists to the U.S. is also due to be cut by the current administration.  These scale backs were said to have been “made to remove ‘a nuisance’ in relations with the Egyptian government.”

Reduction in funds for democracy promotion has not only occurred in programs in Egypt; according to the Wall Street Journal, “the low priority of democracy promotion is apparent across the Administration.”  The senior directorship for democracy and human rights position at the National Security Council will probably not be filled, and the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) position is still vacant. 

With authoritarianism on the rise in countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, The Wall Street Journal recommends that President Obama “back up this week’s rhetoric with more tangible support” in supporting global democracy.

References:

Wall Street Journal: Obama and Democracy

www.ccd21.org