Stephen Hanson

Jeffrey Kopstein, Dean's Professor at UC Irvine, and Stephen Hanson, Letty Pate Evans Professor at William and Mary, dive into the rise of right-wing movements globally. They discuss how leaders erode public trust and substitute rational governance with personal loyalty, drawing on Max Weber's patrimonialism. The duo explores conspiracy theories and the 'deep state' narratives that fuel these ideologies. They also highlight the frightening blend of libertarianism and Christian nationalism that supports strongman rule, urging vigilance against the erosion of modern governance.