On this AEI Events Podcast, Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) delivers a keynote address at a conference on discussing democracy in crisis. The event, co-hosted by AEI, Freedom House, and the Center for American Progress, marked the release of Freedom House’s report “Freedom in the World 2018.”

In his keynote, Sen. Sasse emphasized that while freedom is not unique the United States, it is uniquely America’s advantage.

Democracy is in retreat globally and, some say, in the United States. Exacerbating the democratic backslide are authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China, which have increased both repression at home and efforts to export instability abroad. On the home front, indifference toward democratic principles is escalating, as America retreats from a historic commitment to democracy promotion.

This event took place on January 16, 2018.

To watch the video of the full event, click here.

More AEI Events Podcasts can be found here.

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Published in: Foreign Policy, Politics

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There are 15 comments.

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  1. Curt North Inactive
    Curt North
    @CurtNorth

    Sorry but I just want to gag when I hear this guy preen.

    • #1
  2. DrewInWisconsin Member
    DrewInWisconsin
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Curt North (View Comment):
    Sorry but I just want to gag when I hear this guy preen.

    Could be worse. Could be Jeff Flake.

    • #2
  3. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Ben Sasse. A legend in his own mind. He can take his buck teeth and go to blazes as far as I’m concerned.

    • #3
  4. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    I listened and learned nothing new. No weighty insights.

    There’s 30 minutes of my life I’ll never get back…

    • #4
  5. DrewInWisconsin Member
    DrewInWisconsin
    @DrewInWisconsin

    I’m not even sure if I accept the premise:

    Democracy is in retreat globally and, some say, in the United States. Exacerbating the democratic backslide are authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China, which have increased both repression at home and efforts to export instability abroad. On the home front, indifference toward democratic principles is escalating, as America retreats from a historic commitment to democracy promotion.

    What does that mean? “Nation building”?

    • #5
  6. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    DrewInWisconsin (View Comment):
    I’m not even sure if I accept the premise:

    Democracy is in retreat globally and, some say, in the United States. Exacerbating the democratic backslide are authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China, which have increased both repression at home and efforts to export instability abroad. On the home front, indifference toward democratic principles is escalating, as America retreats from a historic commitment to democracy promotion.

    What does that mean? “Nation building”?

    These guys think that if they say “authoritarian,” we’re supposed to think of Trump. It’s hilarious. And that old standby “some say.” hahaha!   And “indifference toward democratic principle” means “you elected someone I don’t approve of.” Well guess what. We don’t approve of you and your fellow travelers squandering this opportunity that the voters handed to you. You’re helping the Democrats, and it’s truly disgusting.

    • #6
  7. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin (View Comment):
    I’m not even sure if I accept the premise:

    Democracy is in retreat globally and, some say, in the United States. Exacerbating the democratic backslide are authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China, which have increased both repression at home and efforts to export instability abroad. On the home front, indifference toward democratic principles is escalating, as America retreats from a historic commitment to democracy promotion.

    What does that mean? “Nation building”?

    These guys think that if they say “authoritarian,” we’re supposed to think of Trump. It’s hilarious. And that old standby “some say.” hahaha! And “indifference toward democratic principle” means “you elected someone I don’t approve of.” Well guess what. We don’t approve of you and your fellow travelers squandering this opportunity that the voters handed to you. You’re helping the Democrats, and it’s truly disgusting.

    The agenda diverges. These people are the opposition, and actually act against the interests of Americans. It’s becoming quite clear. No wonder they can’t stand Trump.

     

    • #7
  8. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Sasse was absolutely brilliant.

    I am floored by the responses of my fellow Ricochetti.

    I especially condemn any attack on Sasse for his “buck teeth,” that is an ad hominem attack and should be roundly condemned by all decent people.

    • #8
  9. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Baloney.

    • #9
  10. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Curt North (View Comment):
    Sorry but I just want to gag when I hear this guy preen.

    Are you kidding?  Trump is the world class Greatest Preener of all time.

    • #10
  11. DrewInWisconsin Member
    DrewInWisconsin
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I especially condemn any attack on Sasse for his “buck teeth,” that is an ad hominem attack and should be roundly condemned by all decent people.

    Er . . . when you refer to the President as a liar and the Greatest Preener of all time and a racist suffering from dementia . . . shouldn’t that be roundly condemned by all decent people?

    By the same token, shouldn’t Fred’s “failed Presidency” post which features one ad hominem after another be roundly condemned by all decent people? You know what? It was condemned by decent people. But you praised it.

    • #11
  12. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    DrewInWisconsin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I especially condemn any attack on Sasse for his “buck teeth,” that is an ad hominem attack and should be roundly condemned by all decent people.

    Er . . . when you refer to the President as a liar and the Greatest Preener of all time and a racist suffering from dementia . . . shouldn’t that be roundly condemned by all decent people?

    By the same token, shouldn’t Fred’s “failed Presidency” post which features one ad hominem after another be roundly condemned by all decent people? You know what? It was condemned by decent people. But you praised it.

    I am not running for office, and I am not in office.  Trump is.  (Been there, done that.)

    You should note for the record that I was delighted when Trump passed his neurological evaluation.

    • #12
  13. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Sasse 2020!

    • #13
  14. DrewInWisconsin Member
    DrewInWisconsin
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I especially condemn any attack on Sasse for his “buck teeth,” that is an ad hominem attack and should be roundly condemned by all decent people.

    Er . . . when you refer to the President as a liar and the Greatest Preener of all time and a racist suffering from dementia . . . shouldn’t that be roundly condemned by all decent people?

    By the same token, shouldn’t Fred’s “failed Presidency” post which features one ad hominem after another be roundly condemned by all decent people? You know what? It was condemned by decent people. But you praised it.

    I am not running for office, and I am not in office. Trump is.

    That has nothing to do with it. We’re comparing attacks on Sasse which you say should be “roundly condemned,” with attacks on the President which you routinely engage in as well as support others who do also. Do you not see the evident hypocrisy?

     

    • #14
  15. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    DrewInWisconsin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I especially condemn any attack on Sasse for his “buck teeth,” that is an ad hominem attack and should be roundly condemned by all decent people.

    Er . . . when you refer to the President as a liar and the Greatest Preener of all time and a racist suffering from dementia . . . shouldn’t that be roundly condemned by all decent people?

    By the same token, shouldn’t Fred’s “failed Presidency” post which features one ad hominem after another be roundly condemned by all decent people? You know what? It was condemned by decent people. But you praised it.

    I am not running for office, and I am not in office. Trump is.

    That has nothing to do with it. We’re comparing attacks on Sasse which you say should be “roundly condemned,” with attacks on the President which you routinely engage in as well as support others who do also. Do you not see the evident hypocrisy?

    My attacks on Trump are about his behavior, which includes his attacks on Liddle’ Marco’s height.  Attacking people for their physical appearance, especially over things they can’t change is, well, deplorable.

     

    • #15
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