Thread by @SecureDemocracy

Authoritarian states are contesting democracies to reshape the global order.

Over the past 6 months, we convened a bipartisan task force of leading experts to tackle this challenge. Today, we published our findings. securingdemocracy.gmfus.org/linking-values…

Authoritarian actors have seized the initiative in this competition. They're exploiting the openness of democratic societies to undermine institutions and exporting authoritarian norms, standards, and technologies around the globe.

Fortunately, democracies—and the US in particular—can regain the upper hand in this competition by addressing vulnerabilities, leveraging strategic advantages, and reframing the geopolitical contest in terms more favorable to democracy.

The Task Force report outlines a national strategy for the US to leverage the strengths of its open system, build resilience at home, and exploit the brittleness of authoritarians across 4 overlapping non-military domains:
👉political
👉economic
👉technological
👉information

In the political domain, the US should embrace the openness of its democratic system by strengthening key institutions, boosting transparency, and cultivating broad civic engagement. At the same time, it should act to showcase the corruption and repression of autocracies abroad.

In the economic domain, the US must shore up the sources of its strength by making strategic investments at home in infrastructure and innovation. At the same time, the US should adopt a robust anti-corruption platform to expose authoritarian kleptocracy and economic manipulation

In the tech domain, the US must take a more active role in shaping tech development and governance to offset authoritarian investments and ensure that norms, standards, and new technologies are conducive to democracy.

In the information domain, the US must build resilience against authoritarian interference and cyberattacks without compromising core democratic values, and it must work w/ allies to shape a democratic future for the global info space.

The Task Force report offers 24 concrete recommendations for the US to offset authoritarians by: protecting and strengthening US democracy; adapting and updating democratic structures, resources, authorities, and norms; and leveraging and prioritizing the US’s leading advantages

The competition between democracy and autocracy has sweeping implications for the security, privacy, and prosperity of citizens around the world. Autocrats have seized the advantage. It is time for democracies to reinvest in their strengths and fight back. securingdemocracy.gmfus.org/linking-values…

We would like to extend a huge thanks to the our Task Force members and co-chairs, whose dedication, insights, and feedback helped shape this strategy.

@abramowitz, @cdbrose, Kurt Campbell, @JSCarpenter11, @ChhabraT, @derekchollet, @ZackCooper, @micheleflournoy, @RHFontaine, @AaronFriedberg, @suemgordon22, @hahriehan, @kath_hicks, @kellymagsamen, @Malinowski, @RepMalinowski, @AmbDMitchell, @MichaelJMorell, @SamanthaJPower

@rosenbergerlm, @KoriSchake, Jake Sullivan, @MikeTurnerOH, @RepMikeTurner, @DCTwining, @mattwaxman1, Jeremy M. Weinstein, @nicolewong, @thomaswright08, and @JCZarate1.

And thanks to the Task Force report authors and staff @jessbrandt, Brad Hanlon, @IAbuabara, @nkohlenberg, @KMansted, and @ChristinaRev_.

Thank you to Co-Chairs Avril Haines & Eric Edelman, without whom this project would not have been possible.