WSJ Opinion: Free Expression Democracy on the Brink
Aug 5, 2025
Rishi Sunak, former British Prime Minister and current Hoover Institution fellow, delves into the perilous state of democracy today. He discusses the surge of authoritarianism and the necessity for democracies to adapt to a multipolar world. Sunak highlights the Western Alliance’s resolve in standing against Russian aggression, and the differing U.S. and European views on Palestine. Lastly, he addresses the threats posed by China and the crucial need for economic self-sufficiency and resilience in democratic nations.
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New Multipolar World Order
- We live in a new multipolar world with rising global swing states like the Middle East and India.
- Technology, trade, and military rivals like China change the traditional world order.
Align Trade with Security
- Democracies should pursue free, fair, and reciprocal trade aligned with security and technology cooperation.
- Differentiating trade relations between allies and non-allies is essential for growth and security.
Refashioning Global Trade
- The old global trading system failed partly because China did not follow rules and enforcement faltered.
- A new order must combine freer trade with security and technology cooperation.