A Conversation with Arch Puddington, Vice President for Research at Freedom House

Abstract

From the beginning, we have sought to provide analysis that combines scholarly rigor with a methodology and vocabulary that is accessible to the general public. Obviously, there is a niche group of policymakers here and in Europe, as well as journalists, scholars, political activists and dissidents, who make up our core audience. But our data are also widely used by educators and students, including at the secondary level. We have also developed a growing audience among foreign government officials. This is in large measure due to the important role of democracy and honest governance in the calculations of international development agencies, financial institutions, and governments. Especially since Freedom House findings have been formally incorporated into the foreign assistance process of the American government, we have experienced a major increase in communications with foreign diplomats, who want to discuss, or complain about, our conclusions about their countries.