The Despot's Accomplice: how the West is aiding and abetting the decline of democracy

For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the world is becoming less democratic. With Donald Trump a major contender for the White House and the Brexit referendum flying in the face of expert recommendations, the value of democracy is now being questioned. Why are the world's despots thriving, and how can the West start winning the global battle for democracy?

Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) is a Fellow in Comparative Politics at LSE and author of The Despot’s Accomplice. He is an expert on global democracy, democratic transitions, political violence and volatility, and elections - and the economic risks of all these challenges.

Jonathan Hopkin (@jrhopkin) is Associate Professor of Comparative Politics in the Department of Government at LSE.

The Department of Government (@LSEGovernment) at LSE, one of the largest political science departments in the UK.

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LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.