Five Falling Stars: The Decline of Rule of Law and Democratic Multilateralism

Less than ten years ago, they were the democratic hopefuls of international liberal order: Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkey. They were economically striving, aimed at improving social inclusion and broadening participation in democratic governance. Many observers had hoped that – despite several shortcomings – they could be the new standard-bearers of multilateralism, promoting human rights, rule of law, and democracy worldwide and contribute to establishing a South-North partnership based on common norms and systems. 

Today, many of these expectations have been sobered by autocratization and foreign policy stances less inclined to cooperate internationally. Co-chaired by Ted Piccone, author of "Five Rising Democracies and the Fate of International Liberal Order," WJP and Bertelsmann Foundation will host a roundtable with experts from these countries to trace the commonalities and differences in political regression and nationalism, and consider the prospects for a positive turnaround and a revival of multilateralism.

Speakers:

• Ted Piccone (Chair)
  Chief Engagement Officer, World Justice Project 
   
• Seda Gürkan 
  Lecturer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Department of Political Science
   
• Joseph Chinyong Liow
  Tan Kah Kee Chair in Comparative and International Politics, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
   
• Elizabeth Sidiropoulos
  Chief Executive, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
   
• Oliver Della Costa Stuenkel
  Associate Professor of International Relations, Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV)
   
• Constantino Xavier
  Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies, Brookings India
   
• Sabine Donner (Introduction)
  Senior Expert, Bertelsmann Transformation Index, Bertelsmann Stiftung
   
• Anthony Silberfeld (Moderator)
  Director, Transatlantic Relations, Bertelsmann Foundation