Recorded on March 4, 2019, this video presents the Social Science Matrix Distinguished Lecture, “The Rise of Illiberal Governance: Comparing Viktor Orban and Donald Trump,” by John Shattuck, Professor of Practice, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University; President Emeritus, Central European University; and Senior Fellow, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School.
Abstract
Populist discontent with liberal democracy has long been on the rise in Europe and the US. Manifestations are found in the economic and cultural rebellions of people who feel threatened by globalization and shut out by elites. Democratic discontent is being manipulated by opportunistic leaders claiming they can fix the situation by strengthening nationalism, which translates into weakening democratic institutions and centralizing power. Hungary’s Viktor Orban is Europe’s prime example of such a leader, and Donald Trump has much in common with Orban. What are the similarities and differences between the illiberal governance of Orban and Trump, what is the likelihood that this model will take deeper hold in Europe and the US, and what are potential sources of resilience and reform of liberal democracy?
About John Shattuck
John Shattuck is an international legal scholar, diplomat, human rights leader and former university president. He is Professor of Practice in Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University; President Emeritus of Central European University, and Senior Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School. Under President Clinton, Shattuck served as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and later became the US Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Among many awards, he is the recipient of the International Human Rights Award of the United Nations Association of Boston; the Ambassador’s Award of the American Bar Association Central and East European Law Initiative; and the Tufts University Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award.
