For more than 75 years, the liberal international order has secured peace, advanced justice, and expanded prosperity in the United States and around the world. American leadership has been central to its success.
Today, that order appears to be under attack. The rise in populism, illiberalism, nationalism, and protectionism, fading confidence in our institutions and free markets, global economic disruption, and polarized political discourse are all to blame.
In October 2017, the Bush Institute hosted The Spirit of Liberty, a national forum in New York that kicked off a major new effort of the Bush Institute’s Human Freedom Initiative. The program seeks in a bipartisan way to affirm American values of freedom, to strengthen the institutions that secure these values at home, and to help catalyze a 21st century consensus that it is in America’s interest to lead in their strengthening worldwide. The goal is to identify several areas for action by government and the private sector to celebrate, protect, and extend the spirit of liberty at home and in the world.
Policy Recommendations
- Harden our defenses
- Strengthen the American citizen
- Project American leadership
- Restore trust in democratic institutions
Read our Call to Action
