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Democracy Dialogues: The Backlash Against NGOs

© The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Thomas Carothers Date: Thursday, 26 July 2007 Time: 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) View Webchat Transcript

In some countries around the world governments are starting to view nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as a threat to their power. After two decades of steady expansion of democracy-building programs worldwide, many governments are cracking down on such activities.

Some leaders have publicly denounced democracy assistance programs and have started expelling or placing severe restrictions on NGOs. In other cases, local organizations have been threatened or punished for accepting support from Western democracy groups. Join Thomas Carothers, vice president for studies - international politics and governance at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, for a webchat about the backlash against NGOs.

Guest Biography:

Thomas Carothers is the vice president for studies - international politics and governance at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. In this capacity, he oversees the organization's Middle East program and democracy and rule of law project, which analyzes the state of democracy in the world and efforts by the United States and other countries to promote democracy. Carothers also has broad experience in the areas of human rights, international law, foreign aid, rule of law and civil society development. Prior to joining the Endowment, Carothers practiced international and financial law at Arnold & Porter and served as an attorney-adviser in the Office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State.