Small group discussions to explore current trends in political science. I aim to explore the topic as dispassionately as possible relying on facts and evidence wherever possible.

I plan to start the sessions by exploring the rapid emergence of autocratic models of political leadership and the crisis affecting democracy internationally. What does this tell us about how leaders and governments gain and maintain power in today’s world. 

There is growing evidence of autocratic leaders supporting each other and an emerging ‘playbook’ of proven strategies to win and maintain autocratic power.

We can compare and contrast different models of authoritarian rule with effective and less effective democratic systems.