New Books Network Democracy and Freedom: The Role of Philanthropy and Education
Nov 23, 2025
Dr. Alvaro Salas-Castro, President and CEO of the Reynolds Foundation, discusses the current state of democracy and freedom. He explores the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes and the philanthropic gaps in supporting democracy initiatives. Alvaro emphasizes the importance of civic education, introducing innovative projects like Freedom Academies to empower activists. He also advocates for cross-sector collaboration and highlights the need for better research to support democratic renewal. Hope lies in young activists, committed philanthropists, and scholarly partnerships.
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Authoritarians Are Learning From Each Other
- Authoritarians are coordinating transnationally and sharing tactics, making them more effective.
- The freedom movement is losing ground because pro-democracy efforts are scattered and underfunded.
Philanthropy For Democracy Is Tiny
- Only about 1% of global philanthropy goes to freedom and democracy, and almost none to authoritarian regimes.
- Understanding philanthropic supply and demand is essential to scaling democratic resilience.
Invest In Next‑Gen Civic Education
- Invest in civic education that teaches what freedom and democracy mean in practice.
- Build 'civic education 3.0' that combines structural knowledge with scientific and tactical skills.