Barack Obama on Democracy
Barack Obama views democracy as an imperfect but superior system compared to alternatives, emphasizing that countries upholding democratic governance tend to be more just, stable, and successful. He has called democracy the "most precious of gifts" for which America is indebted to Greece, the cradle of Western democracy.
Obama maintains that democracy is not self-executing; it requires active commitment from citizens, judges, and government officials who uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. He warns that when commitment is weak or when basic principles are under attack, societies risk drifting toward behavior consistent with autocracies.
Throughout his post-presidency, Barack Obama has made clear that the work to sustain and improve democracy requires citizens to embrace their responsibility, participate actively, and fight for its core tenets like the rule of law and freedom of the press, even when difficult.
Context
Barack Obama's perspective on democracy is shaped by his background as a constitutional law professor and his experiences both as a community organizer and as President. His early career focused on empowering local communities within the existing political structure, influencing his later emphasis on civic participation.
As President, his administration promoted democratic ideals abroad while navigating domestic political challenges, including intense partisanship and institutional strain. This context informs his post-presidency focus on defending democratic norms against perceived threats.
Actions Taken
- SpeechDelivered a landmark foreign policy speech in Athens, Greece, to reassure international partners about the strength and value of American-style democracy following the 2016 election.
- Political EndorsementEndorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, stressing their belief that the right to vote is sacred and that no one, including the president, is above the law.
- AdvocacyAppealed for a new generation to participate in politics during his first public appearance after leaving office.
Key Quotes
Democracy… is imperfect. It can be slow. It can be frustrating. It can be hard. It can be messy.
My Administration will do everything we can to support the smoothest transition possible—because that's how democracy has to work
The most important office in this democracy is the citizen, the ordinary person who says, no, that's not right.
They believe that in a democracy, the right to vote is sacred, and we should be making it easier for people to cast their ballot, not harder.
Criticism
Stated that Obama had "allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West" following Russia's actions in Crimea and interference in the 2016 election, suggesting a failure in democratic defense abroad.
Sources5
Obama Hails Democracy in Landmark Speech
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.