FRIAS Conference - Understanding the Rise of Autocrats in the 21st Century

Understanding the Rise of Autocrats in the 21st Century: Digital Propaganda, Populism, and (Hybrid) Warfare

A little less than 30 years after Fukuyama predicted the everlasting rule of liberal democracy, the world today finds itself amid the third wave of autocratization, with numerous developed countries falling into democratic backsliding and many developing countries adopting outright authoritarian regimes. Recent global crises, such as climate change, rising inequality, pandemics, and globali-zation, have only exacerbated these negative tendencies. Yet, we know very little about the causes and dangers of this global transformation. Could the current trend follow the path of the first wave of autocratization that led to the Second World War and precipitate a regional or even global conflict? Could it threaten the liberties and well-being of millions? What are potential safeguards against autocratization?

To answer these questions, our academic event will bring together scholars from the fields of economics and political science from around the world to exchange insights and foster professional collaborations. The two keynote speeches will focus on digital propaganda in autocracies and the challenges of democratic transitions. A supplementary theme of the workshop will be the ongoing war in Ukraine as a result of, perhaps, the most horrifying manifestation of the long-running autocratization of Russia. As a point of departure for future research, the conference features a session on the challenges of conducting research during times of war with a keynote presentation of a novel dataset on public opinion in Russia during wartime.

The compact conference format is complemented by social activities, including a speed-networking event and a guided city tour, fostering interaction and collaboration among early-career researchers and senior scholars.

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