Democratic Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine their own Democracies – Susan Stokes
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250 years ago, the United States began with a Declaration of Independence to establish a nation grounded in the belief that we are all created equal, with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Today, democratic backsliding is weakening institutions and norms, undermining the rule of law, and eroding fundamental rights and freedoms in the United States and around the world.
Join us at Beloit College for The Future of Democracy, a timely public lecture series exploring the causes of democratic backsliding, how it affects us, and what we can do about it.
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Susan Stokes is Blake Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science and Faculty Chair of the Chicago Center on Democracy. She is the author of books and articles about democracy, development, political behavior, and Latin American politics. Among her single- and co-authored books are "Mandates and Democracy" (Cambridge University Press 2001), "Brokers, Voters, and Clientelism" (CUP 2013), and "Why Bother? Rethinking Participation in Elections and Protests" (CUP 2019). Her most recent book, "The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies," was published by Princeton University Press in September, 2025. Stokes a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2025-26 she served as president of the American Political Science Association. She is a co-founder of Bright Line Watch.
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Attend a lecture, walk the campus, enjoy a game, or explore our museums and library.
Visit our public events calendar:
https://www.beloit.edu/news-events/public-events/
Today, democratic backsliding is weakening institutions and norms, undermining the rule of law, and eroding fundamental rights and freedoms in the United States and around the world.
Join us at Beloit College for The Future of Democracy, a timely public lecture series exploring the causes of democratic backsliding, how it affects us, and what we can do about it.
---
Susan Stokes is Blake Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science and Faculty Chair of the Chicago Center on Democracy. She is the author of books and articles about democracy, development, political behavior, and Latin American politics. Among her single- and co-authored books are "Mandates and Democracy" (Cambridge University Press 2001), "Brokers, Voters, and Clientelism" (CUP 2013), and "Why Bother? Rethinking Participation in Elections and Protests" (CUP 2019). Her most recent book, "The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies," was published by Princeton University Press in September, 2025. Stokes a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2025-26 she served as president of the American Political Science Association. She is a co-founder of Bright Line Watch.
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Attend a lecture, walk the campus, enjoy a game, or explore our museums and library.
Visit our public events calendar:
https://www.beloit.edu/news-events/public-events/
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Where is it happening?
Beloit College, 609 Emerson St, Beloit, WI 53511, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherBeloit College
