The freedom agenda : why America must spread democracy (just not the way George Bush did) / James Traub.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [239]-244) and index.

The Freedom Agenda traces the history of America's democratic evangelizing. James Traub, a journalist for The New York Times Magazine, describes the rise and fall of the Freedom Agenda during the Bush years, in part through interviews with key administration officials. He offers a richly detailed portrait of the administration's largely failed efforts to bolster democratic forces abroad. In the end, Traub argues that democracy matters--for human rights, for reconciliation among ethnic and religious groups, for political stability and equitable development--but the United States must exercise caution in its efforts to spread it, matching its deeds to its words, both abroad and at home.--From publisher description.

An education in self-government : in which we teach the Filipinos, and they teach us -- From Woodrow Wilson's noble dream to George Kennan's sober realism -- Swept along in the democratic revolution -- Second thoughts : was democracy just a moment? -- "Realism died on 9/11" : but what was born in its place? -- Bringing democracy into disrepute -- Mubarak's Egypt : the dark arts of "liberal autocracy" -- Mali and the feeble democracies of Africa : sometimes you can eat dignity -- Democracy promotion in the post-post-9/11 world.