The Foreign Service Journal, September 2022

22 SEPTEMBER 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL political theory, Max Weber’s “Politics as a Vocation,” comes to mind: “And even those who are neither leaders nor heroes must arm themselves with that steadfast- ness of heart which can brave even the crumbling of all hopes.” I now realize that Weber was talking to me. In fact, he was speaking to anyone who has tried to make a difference in the world. I think most of us in the Foreign Service, myself included, choose every day to arm ourselves with a steadfastness of heart. In the spirit of Martin Luther, we cannot do otherwise. I don’t know what the future holds for democracy, whether in the United States or anywhere else. What I can say is that the struggle to advance democ- racy, whether here or abroad, must never cease. The pain and frustrations are worth it. I did not fail, nor will any- one else engaged in this cause. We have cultivated a tree that others planted. Some of the branches may have been cut; but the roots still thrive, and they will not die. The desire for some form of democ- racy—as defined by rights, dignity, free- dom and some measure of participation in decisions that affect us—is human and universal. The institutional struc- tures, the cultures, the specific values and the ranking of other priorities (such as nationalism or economic interests) vary enormously, but the democratic spirit cannot be forever suppressed. The struggle continues. But how we conduct ourselves must take a new perspective, far from those heady days in the early 1990s when we all thought the world had changed for better and forever. To withstand the crumbling of hopes, we must first affirm those hopes and what we believe. Only then do we have a call- ing to achieve what is possible. In “Politics as a Vocation,” Weber notes that the modern politician requires three contradictory qualities within the same soul: passion, a sense of responsibility and clarity of vision. Those who support democracy abroad require the same virtues, and perhaps a few more. Clarity, certainly. Not only do we need to know the “best practices” and research, but as politicians—and we are politicians—we need to think politically. I would add a few more qualities for the aspiring democracy and governance or political officer. b First, and most important of all, is humility . Too often, our attempts at assisting democracies abroad have suf- fered from national hubris. Nowhere was that more evident than in Afghanistan, where the U.S. government poured in millions of dollars and spoke bravely of “game changers,” not realizing that pour- ing excessive amounts of money into a poor country often undermines democ- racy itself. This thinking is still prevalent whenever someone asks, “What are we doing about it?”—as if we can determine another nation’s future. As individuals, we sometimes let our egos get in the way: I have to be seen making it happen so I can get some measure of credit. After all, if I didn’t make it happen, what am I doing there? Good question. But it’s not about you; and really, it’s not about the United States, although you will never convince policymakers otherwise. Democracy is a decision that people must make for themselves, and they will usually make it affirmatively if allowed. Get your ego out of the way and play a supporting role, but play it well. And to the public at large and the policymakers, I am probably wasting my pixels writing this, but stop thinking you can solve every problem with enough money or putting the right people in place. The corollary of this I direct to the world at large (again probably wasting pixels): stop laying every problem at the feet of the United States, or Washington will think it can solve the problem, and it won’t. Or at least you won’t like the solutions. The second virtue is persistence , which is really sustained passion. When I speak with students contemplating careers in development, I ask, “How many of you run marathons or long dis- tances?” I get a few hands. “You are well suited to my line of work.” Development work, especially in the field of democracy, is Weber’s slow boring of hard boards. It is not for those seeking instant gratification. Victories can come unexpectedly, but so do setbacks, sometimes the result of the host government, sometimes the result of our own government. You change approaches and try again. But you do not give up. Third is creativity . Especially in what are euphemistically called “closing spaces,” you look for opportunities wher- ever you can find them. You may find them in unusual places, like education programs, communities or with religious groups. Seek out opportunities to collabo- The struggle to advance democracy, whether here or abroad, must never cease.