The Return of Great Power Rivalry: Democracy versus Autocracy from the Ancient World to the U.S. and China

by Matthew Kroenig

This book, therefore, made the “hard-power” case for democracy. Generally, democracy is admired because it is the best political system for advancing freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and human dignity. Those are important attributes, and democracy is rightly celebrated for these normative reasons. But by focusing too much on these softer assets, we overlook other important and practical benefits of democracy: Democracy is the best machine ever invented for generating enormous state wealth, influence, power, and prestige on the international stage. Indeed, it is difficult if not impossible to achieve lasting global mastery without it. The United States and its democratic allies and partners should be proud of their domestic political systems not just because they are morally superior but also because they are more effective. Autocrats have some explaining to do, not just because their political systems are immoral, but also because they are corrupt, inefficient, and ultimately make their countries weaker.