About DSI
The Democratic Strategy Initiative (DSI) works to build the strategic capacity and strategic culture that liberal democracies need to prevail in the systemic competition against authoritarian regimes. Based in Berlin but working with partners across the free world, DSI develops the skills, knowledge and networks that politicians, officials, experts, business people, and civil society need to become more effective strategic actors. Together we work to develop the strategies we need to win.
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DSI conducts cutting-edge research, targeted analysis and develops concrete policy proposals. We provide strategic education and capacity building, and facilitate events, discussions and network-building that promote and harmonise advanced strategic culture in and between free societies. In an era of sharpening geopolitical competition, DSI particularly works to align security, prosperity and freedom by advancing military readiness, societal resilience, responsible geoeconomics, and by showing how democracies can provide credibly better futures for their people.
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DSI is an independent think tank hosted at Zentrum Liberale Moderne in Berlin.
The DSI Difference
Many analysts and experts talk about German and allied strategic shortcomings.
DSI has diagnosed them in detail. And we’ve developed ways to address the strategic deficit that is holding back better policy and hindering us from competing properly with autocracies.
DSI focuses on practical, actionable policy analysis and advice to advance strategic goals. We deliver essential recommendations policymakers can use immediately and provide the strategic tools and context to build for the long-term.
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DSI builds strategic capacity by working directly with policymakers and policy-shapers to provide the skills needed to become effective strategic actors. We do this through strategic Master classes and boot camps with world-leading strategists as well as through consistent engagement, over time, with political, business, media and civil society actors.
DSI fills knowledge gaps to help create coherent strategies across policy fields – and supports political actors in analysing and addressing issues strategically. We also focus on priority issues that act as strategic wedges, which help to deliver strategic breakthroughs by seizing opportunities for or removing obstacles to strategic change.
DSI also fosters the strategic culture within and between free societies that we need to drive, deliver and sustain effective strategic action. We create forums for strategic analysis, debate and discussion, aimed at improving policy and shaping the policy context as well as empowering decisionmakers to develop and implement better strategy.
We provide the networks that connect strategically-minded politicians in free societies with top international experts in military strategy, geoeconomics, societal resilience and more. And DSI also understands that both businesses and civil society must be onboard as strategic partners to bring about the kind of change free societies need – and help them, and government, become better allies in enacting it. That’s why DSI has set up both the Strategic Business Network and the DSI Civil Society Network to help feed in critical expertise directly to the DSI Action Group.