It is important to recognize that NATO is a politico-military alliance with support for liberal democracy as a key pillar. The resilience of democracy is threatened across the globe, both internally and externally. Defending the integrity of democracy constitutes a key element for protecting NATO countries. Three responses are needed to do so: developing an active defence, promoting greater trust amongst electorates, and educating the public.
Russia and China in particular are both extensively working to create and spread disinformation aimed at undermining democracy in Alliance nations by widening political fractures. The first approach needed to defend against this external threat is to recognise the increasing challenge presented by AI and for public institutions to be able to expose sources of disinformation and present the real facts. In many cases attacks against NATO are based on disinformation. Where NATO can engage more aggressively with publics on its role it should do so.
Democratic political systems themselves are not working. Publics do not feel that the system is taking on board their views and needs. Strategies that better enable “democracy to deliver” could help restore trust in the system and mitigate fragmentation. Public education on democratic values and how to recognise disinformation should take place not only during school years but all the way through peoples’ adult lives. Initiatives like different forms of conscription could perhaps help contribute to societal cohesion.
Democratic values are enshrined in the preamble and body of the North Atlantic Treaty itself, and reiterated in Summit communiques. If attacks on these values are not successfully countered they could undermine resilience and the willingness of publics to support defence spending. NATO and its members need to continue to reiterate the centrality of these values.