YDS 2021 in Review
2021 is an anthology of articles, photo essays and opinions of students in international relations. With a year full of decade-defining events across the globe, this anthology is a must-read to reflect upon the year that was 2021. This anthology was created by Young Diplomats Society. For more information, please visit our website www.theyoungdiplomats.com.
2021 is an anthology of articles, photo essays and opinions of students in international relations. With a year full of decade-defining events across the globe, this anthology is a must-read to reflect upon the year that was 2021.
This anthology was created by Young Diplomats Society. For more information, please visit our website www.theyoungdiplomats.com.
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P H O T O : E V A N V U C C I / A P P H O T O
by Satara Uthayakumaran
From December 9 to 10, 2021, US President Joe Biden held the first of two Summits
for Democracy, the first summit of its kind. President Biden, on the International Day
of Democracy stated, “No democracy is perfect, and no democracy is ever final.
Every gain made, every barrier broken, is the result of determined, unceasing work.”
However, it is important to determine whether this event’s purpose is to strengthen
global democracies or cater to US foreign interests. Biden’s promise to hold the
summit, made during his presidential campaign, seemed to be motivated by a
desire to separate the US from Donald Trump’s authoritarian allies, and once again
re-establish America as the world’s champion defender of human rights.
There is no doubt that after the US failure in Afghanistan, and corresponding global
outrage, this event was perceived to be a welcome one. Indeed, one of the main
objectives of the event was to counter the influence of autocratic nations such as
Russia and China, both of which were not invited to the event. The three key themes
of the event were: defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting
corruption, and advancing respect for human rights.
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