How (Authoritarian) Populism Works

From the venue:

In continuing our yearlong exploration of Democracy: Past, Present, Future, the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry is proud to present a special lecture from Professor Wojciech Sadurski (University of Sydney Law School).

Over the last fifteen years or so, the world has watched in shock as populists swept to power in free elections. From Manila to Warsaw, Brasilia to Budapest, Delhi to Turkey, the populist tide has shattered illusions of an inexorable march to liberal democracy.

Eschewing simplistic notions of a unified global populism, Sadurski's lecture will unpack the diversity and plurality of populisms (in plural). It will highlight the variety of constitutional and extra-constitutional strategies that populists have used to undermine the institutional fabric of liberal democracy. Outlining the rise of populisms and their governing styles, Sadurski will focus on what populists in power do, rather than what they say. Confronting one of the most pressing concerns of international politics, this lecture will offer an up-to-date account of modern populisms and, significantly, consider what can be done to fight back.