On Tuesday, March 15, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. the Strategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security released its third Atlantic Council Strategy Paper, “Autocracies Failed and Unfailed: Limited Strategies for State Building.”

The paper, written by the Graham H. Stuart Professor of International Relations Stephen D. Krasner, and featuring a foreword by Ambassador James B. Cunningham, argues that successful democratization attempts depend mostly on the interests of local elites. To address this “fundamental challenge” Krasner outlines the three elements of “good enough governance” that contribute to a relatively successful democratization effort: 1) security; 2) better service provision; and 3) economic growth.

The Atlantic Council Strategy Papers series is designed to enrich the public debate and build consensus on the great strategic challenges of our time, as well as to help shape strategic thinking in US and allied governments, the private and nonprofit sectors, and the global media.

The event featured opening remarks from Dr. Peter Ackerman, Managing Director of Rockport Capital.