The Dissent Papers is that rare treat of scholarship that reflects careful research and close attention to lively, elegant prose. I recommend it highly to all interested readers. If this afternoon’s exchange is only half as rich as the book itself, we’ll all still walk away having been deeply enriched.

Secretary Clinton makes it clear that the U.S is ideologically committed to preserving and encouraging independent civil society. The question now is what practical steps can the U.S take towards advancing this goal?