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Jan 12, 2025 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh |Joseph Kim
The axis of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is undermining the liberal democratic order that has contributed to nearly a century of relative global peace and stability. Washington and its allies can’t be complacent as these regimes, collectively known as CRINK, mobilize against democratic nations. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a wave of democratic movements contributed to the Soviet Union’s collapse and inspired hope for an enduring global shift toward democracy.
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Dec 10, 2024 | 
kensingtonandchelseareview.com | Lisa Curtiss |Chris Walsh
If you’re considering a trip to Scotland, allow me to introduce you to a standout destination that marries the splendour of the Highlands with the epitome of luxury: Cameron House Resort Scotland. Nestled on the banks of Loch Lomond, amidst some truly breathtaking landscapes, Cameron House isn’t just a place to stay – it’s an experience that embodies the essence of Scottish hospitality.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh
Read Many of us woke up this morning to the shocking news that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had declared martial law in South Korea. While many of us know that North Korea is a brutal totalitarian dictatorship given to gross human rights violations, we didn’t expect that its southern neighbor, a stalwart liberal democracy and key American ally, would suddenly clamp down on political association and free press. The George W.
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Nov 22, 2024 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh
Thanksgiving, for much of my life, was the most selfish time of year. I was born on Thanksgiving Day about 30 miles from Plymouth Rock. My extended family didn’t enjoy the annual feast that year in anticipation of the new baby. How could they? Something very special was happening – I was being born!Like the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes on Christmas, though, I’ve come to recognize Thanksgiving not as celebration of me, but as the quintessential American holiday of gratitude.
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Oct 24, 2024 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh
Watch Chris Walsh, Director of Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute, discusses the democratic missteps in the hit children’s TV show Paw Patrol and the avenues we can use in our local communities to ensure our voices are heard. Learn more about the Bush Institute’s work on pluralism and civility in our diverse democracy here.
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Sep 13, 2024 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh
Two awesome things happened at the George W. Bush Presidential Center last week. We hosted a remarkable group of North Korean escapees for a workshop on human rights and advocacy. And the George W. Bush Presidential Museum debuted a new artifact in the Freedom Matters special exhibit – an original 1854 syllogism penned by President Abraham Lincoln framing his arguments against slavery.
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Aug 20, 2024 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh
“Unity” is a tricky word for a liberal, pluralistic democracy. Our general inclination – particularly given the toxic state of American politics – is that unity is a good thing in this context. I’m sure many of us, if asked, would say our democracy needs more of it. As a devout pluralist, though, there’s something about the word that makes me uneasy. A democracy of 330 million very different people is going to disagree messily … a lot.
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Aug 9, 2024 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh
We like a “feel good” story, especially when it comes to sports. And that sensation only magnifies with the Olympics. Think of Ukrainian medal winners – their homeland under attack – showcasing their country’s resilience and hope for all to see. Or of Afghan women competing in sweet defiance of the Taliban’s efforts to erase them from the Games. And it probably felt good seeing North and South Korean athletes – whose countries are technically at war – taking selfies together in Paris.
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Jul 24, 2024 | 
bushcenter.org | Chris Walsh
Imagine someone who believes something you find outrageous, foolish, or even dangerous. The idea of giving that person your valuable time and listening to them seems counterintuitive, but you do it. Now, despite stark disagreement, imagine you also recognize their inherent human dignity and respond to them with grace instead of derision or scorn. Finally, you depart each other’s company in good humor while still disagreeing over some big issues.
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Jun 21, 2024 | 
wvgazettemail.com | Chris Walsh
While many people have fallen into the trap of believing politics has irrevocably divided our country, it’s not true. There is reason for hope over America’s union despite any catastrophizing around the 2024 elections because of our commitment to pluralism. That’s the social tolerance that allows people of conflicting beliefs and different backgrounds to coexist peacefully. Pluralism is profoundly important for a democracy of 330 million different people.
