President George W. Bush Meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
George W. Bush Institute
Freedom and Democracy
Supporting democratic values around the world by elevating institutions that serve their people and promote human dignity, human rights, and market economies.
“Since World War II, America has encouraged and benefited from the global advance of free markets, from the strength of democratic alliances, and from the advance of free societies…. The 20th century featured some of the worst horrors of history because dictators committed them. Free nations are less likely to threaten and fight each other.”
–President George W. Bush
Freedom is under attack worldwide as many countries contend with democratic backsliding and authoritarian regimes flex their muscles in and beyond their own borders.
Now is the moment to reaffirm and expand our commitment to the democratic principles that have enshrined individual, political, and economic rights in free societies. Such principles have fostered relative peace and prosperity previously unknown throughout human history.
Experts
Read David J. Kramer's biography.
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David J. Kramer
Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute and Vice President George W. Bush Presidential Center
Read Igor Khrestin 's biography.
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Igor Khrestin
Bradford M. Freeman Managing Director, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute
Read Jessica Ludwig's biography.
![Jessica Ludwig photo.]()
Jessica Ludwig
Director, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute
Read Chris Walsh's biography.
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Chris Walsh
Director, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute
Read Albert Torres's biography.
![Albert Torres]()
Albert Torres
Program Manager, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute
Read Nicole Bibbins Sedaca's biography.
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Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow George W. Bush Institute
Read Victor Cha's biography.
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Victor Cha
Senior Fellow George W. Bush Institute
Read Joseph Kim's biography.
![Joseph Kim]()
Joseph Kim
Research Fellow George W. Bush Institute
Read Ellen Bork's biography.
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Ellen Bork
Fellow George W. Bush Institute
Read William McKenzie's biography.
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William McKenzie
Senior Editorial Advisor George W. Bush Institute
Read Monica Vegas Kladakis's biography.
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Monica Vegas Kladakis
Senior Advisor George W. Bush Institute
Publications
FEATURED
CIA Director Burns on Ukraine: ‘We’re running out of time to help them’
The Struggle for Freedom
Joseph Kim: ‘Choose hope’ and ‘never give up’ on a free North Korea
A Civil Society Declaration of Democratic Principles
LATEST
1,000 days of Russia’s war against Ukraine
By: Igor Khrestin
Applebaum discusses authoritarian threat to democracies in Autocracy, Inc.
By: Ellen Bork
Supporting Taiwan’s democracy is essential to global security
By: Igor Khrestin
Vladimir and Evgenia Kara-Murza -- Their Struggle for Freedom and Fight for Democracy in Russia
Hosted by: Andrew Kaufmann, David J. Kramer
Bush Institute's Joseph Kim in The Washington Post: There's hope for North Koreans, if America acts
By: Joseph Kim
Mexico’s new leader should honor pledge to strengthen press freedoms
By: William McKenzie