Please join us: Monday, March 4th at 4:00 pm in 820 Barrows Hall for the Spring 2019 Social Science Matrix Distinguished Lecture, "The Rise of Illiberal Governance: Comparing Viktor Orban and Donald Trump," presented 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.

Directions

Matrix is located on the 8th floor of Barrows Hall, on the UC Berkeley campus, near Telegraph and Bancroft Avenues, just up the hill from Sather Gate. There are entrances at both ends of the building, but only one of the elevators on the eastern side goes directly to the 8th floor. You can alternatively take the stairs to the 7th floor and walk up the stairs.

Questions? Contact Social Science Matrix at socialsciencematrix@berkeley.edu.