For Jimmy Carter, morality was a deeply held personal conviction that translated into a national commitment. A devoutly religious man, he dedicated much of his adult life to teaching Sunday school, a practice he continued until 2020. This moral leadership characterized his political career, from his early days to the presidency. He understood his role as promoting values of decency, morality, and human rights in a Cold War world desperately needing hope.
This often-overlooked aspect forms the cornerstone of Carter’s legacy. He took America’s moral leadership seriously and strove to use it to improve both the nation and the world. Following the Realpolitik relativism of the Vietnam and Nixon eras, Carter prioritized diplomacy, adhered to international norms, and elevated human rights in American foreign policy. This vision of America’s global role remains a source of hope, particularly relevant today amid cynicism and political posturing. Moral leadership, far from being outdated, is essential.
Carter’s unwavering conviction was both his most impressive and frustrating trait. His steadfast commitment to doing what he believed was right often led him to persevere long after others would have given up. The negotiations for the Camp David Accords, the landmark agreement resulting in the first Israeli-Arab peace treaty, exemplify this. He persistently engaged with Egypt’s Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin, refusing to let them walk away until a deal was reached.
He readily engaged in challenging domestic political battles for his beliefs. He described the debate over transferring the Panama Canal to Panamanian control as his toughest political fight. He viewed continued U.S. control as an injustice that diminished America’s standing globally. He later stated that this issue served as a crucial test of how the U.S., as a superpower, treated smaller nations. He ultimately secured Senate approval of the new U.S.-Panama treaties with a bipartisan supermajority.
Carter is rightly praised for his post-presidency work—from conflict resolution and eradicating guinea worm disease in Africa to his involvement with Habitat for Humanity. However, his commitment to global morality stemmed from his character. I witnessed this firsthand: he supported the careers of many who worked for him, including my own. For my first congressional campaign, he sent a personal check with a note expressing his support. This note now hangs in my office.
This dedication to values is evident in a vision he articulated in his inaugural address: “a policy based on constant decency in its values and on optimism in our historical vision.” Carter’s call for moral clarity emerged from a post-Vietnam crisis of confidence exacerbated by the pessimism of some leaders. He urged Americans to trust in the nation’s core values, particularly as democracy flourished in countries like India, Portugal, Spain, and Greece.
This vision extended beyond Carter’s presidency, becoming a central theme for his successors. Reagan, for example, made freedom a cornerstone of his foreign policy, famously urging Gorbachev to “tear down this wall” at the Brandenburg Gate.
Sadly, Carter’s passing coincides with another crisis of confidence, as progress made since his presidency seems to be unraveling. Freedom House has reported a global decline in freedom for 18 consecutive years. A Russia exhibiting Soviet-era nostalgia is engaged in a violent land grab in Europe; the Israel-Hamas conflict persists without a negotiated solution, resulting in immense human suffering. Carter’s example reminds us that such times demand courage and the unwavering pursuit of freedom and peace.
Let us remember Carter’s words: “it is a new world—but America should not fear it. It is a new world — and we should help to shape it.” This requires vision and resolute determination.
Jane Harman was Deputy Cabinet Secretary in the Carter administration. She later served nine terms in Congress from California and is co-chair of Freedom House.
