[20211206]IN11817_美国民主峰会.pdf

CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i The U.S. Summit for Democracy December 6, 2021 On December 9-10, the United States is to convene a virtual “Summit for Democracy,” with participation by leaders of foreign governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Leading up to the event, the U.S. government is hosting side events, including inter-parliamentary sessions facilitated by the House Democracy Partnership. Roughly a year after the virtual Summit, the Biden Administration anticipates a second, in-person Summit to follow up on commitments made at the initial meeting. U.S. commitments made at the Summit could prompt congressional oversight and/or legislation and affect appropriations decisions. Background and Summit Origins Experts contend that the world is experiencing an ongoing global “democratic recession.” Global indexes generally indicate that the aggregate level of democracyas measured on dimensions such as the extent of free and fair elections, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental freedomshas not advanced since around 2006; further, some amount of overall democratic backsliding or “autocratization” has occur