U.S. Democracy
What does America’s foreign and military policy have to do with democracy?
How do leaders wage war or end conflicts when ordinary voters have a different preference? How do democratic leaders make decisions around the use of force when voters can hold them accountable at the polls? In “The Insiders’ Game: How Elites Make War and Peace,” Elizabeth Saunders examines this challenge and argues it is elites—presidential advisers, legislators, and military officials—who are key to understanding this puzzle and shaping the use of force in American foreign policy.
On Monday, May 13, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings hosted a panel discussion to analyze the themes of the book and how leaders must navigate this insiders’ game.
Viewers submitted questions via email to [email protected] and via X (Twitter) to @BrookingsFP using #InsidersGame.
Registration is required to attend an event in person and guests at Brookings are required to attest to their state of health before attending. Visitors may not enter the building if they are feeling ill for any reason, have any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19 at any time in the preceding 5 days or longer in accordance with current CDC guidance, or have been advised by their healthcare professional or otherwise to not enter any space where some persons may not be vaccinated.
Agenda
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May 13
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Introduction
Michael E. O’Hanlon Director of Research - Foreign Policy, Director - Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Co-Director - Africa Security Initiative, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy @MichaelEOHanlon -
Keynote remarks
Elizabeth N. Saunders Nonresident Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology @ProfSaunders -
Panel discussion
Moderator
Panelists
E.J. Dionne, Jr. Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM), W. Averell Harriman Chair in American Governance @EJDionne
Michael E. O’Hanlon Director of Research - Foreign Policy, Director - Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Co-Director - Africa Security Initiative, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy @MichaelEOHanlon
Elizabeth N. Saunders Nonresident Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology @ProfSaunders
Kori Schake Director, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies - American Enterprise Institute @KoriSchake
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