On June 10, The Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs assembled a cross-sectoral community to engage in rigorous reflection, analysis, and discussion on illiberal narratives and the potential consequences for the international system. DDIA Founder and Executive Director Roberta Braga shared research on the prevalent and cross-border meta-narratives impacting discussions about foreign policy and democracy.

The moral principles of international cooperation, democracy, and humanitarianism face a moment of crisis. Political actors within traditionally open societies are increasingly using the language of liberal values as an ethical Trojan horse to advance illiberal goals—both domestically and internationally. Unlike contests between autocracies and democracies, these illiberal narratives now often originate within democracies themselves. As new political actors blur the lines between liberal and illiberal values, the core principles underpinning the post-WWII international system risk losing their influence and significance.