He observes that just when democracy seemed everywhere triumphant -- with the fall of antidemocratic regimes in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa -- our leaders failed those fledgling democracies first by misunderstanding the monumental achievement of that triumph and second by not providing the political, legal, and entrepreneurial know-how and support that the new democrats so desperately needed.

If Americans retreat from the ideals on which our country was founded and which inspired the vast democratic revolution this book describes, we will have dealt a severe blow to the future of democracy and to our long-term security. But if we back our words with deeds and the nascent democracies succeed with our effective, tough-minded help, future generations will envy us and sing our praises. The book looks at the struggle for democracy in many countries, including Spain, Portugal, the Soviet Union, Poland, and Italy.

In this call to embrace the worldwide democratic revolution, the author argues that global democracy should be the centerpiece of U.S. strategy. Index.