America was built on a radical premise: that individual liberty is an unalienable, inherent right worth fighting for in the face of tyranny. Revolutionary at the time of our founding, this idea remains the bedrock of American democracy and strength. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, we should acknowledge the endurance of these ideals and their relevance today.
Our Founding Fathers rightfully recognized that democratic systems are the best way to protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They also knew that America’s fight for freedom was never just domestic. It was global.
Freedom fighters from the 13 colonies catapulted the principles of natural rights and representative government onto the global stage during the American Revolution in 1776. Even before independence was secured, America’s first diplomat, Benjamin Franklin, sought support overseas for our quest for freedom — a reminder that political, economic, and military alliances were crucial to our victory.
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Our founders’ immovable spirit of freedom, strengthened by partners we now consider close allies, shaped the Declaration of Independence. Their commitment to defending natural rights and self-government was secured in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which enshrined freedoms of religion, speech, press, and assembly as pillars of any durable republic.
Our early leaders — Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington — understood that global engagement was vital to our young republic. They believed America had a moral responsibility to preserve liberty, promote the common good, and seek justice when those values were under threat.
That tradition did not end with our founders. American leaders after them have understood that freedom in America is not safe in a world where authoritarianism is on the march. This principle was best affirmed by President Ronald Reagan, who knew that liberty cannot survive in isolation — it requires a world willing to defend it.
In his 1982 Westminster Address, at the height of the Cold War, Reagan drew upon our founding principles and made the case for advancing global freedom. His vision led to the creation of the National Endowment for Democracy and the International Republican Institute, organizations dedicated to supporting freedom fighters worldwide.
Reagan’s “peace through strength” recognized that expanding freedom is not only a moral imperative but a strategic one. Democracies are more stable, more reliable partners, and less likely to threaten U.S. interests. At the time, democracy assistance exposed the weaknesses of authoritarian systems and ended the Cold War not through catastrophic nuclear conflict but the peaceful collapse of the Soviet empire. Programs implemented by the NED and the IRI supporting freedom of speech, association, the rule of law, and good governance accelerated demands for liberty and empowered citizens to reject centralized, unaccountable power — just as Americans did in 1776.
Yet some question the value of democracy programs, dismissing them as relics of a bygone era. That view ignores the reality of the world today.
Anti-American regimes such as China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Russia are working to expand their influence and erode the very freedoms that have made our country great for 250 years. They oppress their own citizens and deny people’s fundamental rights to think, speak, worship, and pursue their aspirations freely and without fear.
These regimes are not passive. They are actively corrupting, coercing, coopting, and subverting U.S. partners globally. They export repression and coordinate efforts to undermine peace and prosperity, aiming to reshape the global order in ways that negate America’s founding principles.
Democracy assistance remains a critical tool to counter this threat. With support from the NED and the State Department, the IRI pushes back against regimes that detest the natural rights we cherish. We are exposing Chinese persecution of religious minorities, including Christians, and countering the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party around the world. We are also supporting freedom fighters in Cuba and Venezuela and equipping leaders in front-line democracies across Eurasia to resist tyrannical rule and safeguard their sovereignty.
Unsurprisingly, America’s adversaries are the loudest critics of these efforts. Both the NED and the IRI have been declared “undesirable” by the Kremlin, sanctioned by the CCP, and targeted by cyberattacks and propaganda from Beijing, Havana, Moscow, Pyongyang, and Tehran. That is not a coincidence. It is confirmation that this work matters.
Critics also claim democracy promotion is incompatible with an “America First” approach. The opposite is true. Advancing freedom abroad strengthens allies, reduces the risk of conflict, and creates more stable environments for trade and security cooperation. It is an investment in American interests.
This does not mean involvement in endless wars and costly nation-building. As Washington explained in his 1796 Farewell Address, it involves prudent expenditure and strategic global engagement. Targeted, principled support for individual liberties is one of the most effective ways to advance peace and prevent crises before they demand far costlier responses.
Here, public-private partnerships can be a force multiplier. Private sector innovation and resources, alongside decades of U.S. experience in democracy promotion, will bolster our efforts to help build resilient societies that can withstand authoritarian pressure and deliver real results for Americans and people everywhere.
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As we mark 250 years of our nation’s democratic experiment, the lesson is clear: Our founding ideals are not only worth celebrating, they are worth advancing.
America’s story has never been just about our own pursuit of liberty. It is, as our founders believed, about sustaining hope and opportunity for people everywhere, and ensuring that the principles of liberty and justice endure for generations to come.
Daniel Twining is President of the International Republican Institute.