Across the globe, liberal democracy is under threat from populism. Through Europe, the Americas and Asia demagogic figures of both the left and the right have come to power with simplistic solutions to entrenched policy dilemmas, bringing often authoritarian and sometimes brutal methods to achieve their political ends. The practice of good governance is being eroded, the international settlement up-ended, experts derided and societies polarised. The global effect is nothing less than an assault on liberalism and democratic institutions. 

In this landmark event, the Director of the LSE, Dame Minouche Shafik, and the Dean of the LSE School of Public Policy, Professor Andres Velasco, will be joined by an esteemed panel to understand the causes of this trend and how it can be reversed. Why have populists been able to gain public traction so easily? Where have establishment politicians and institutions gone wrong? Why have liberals’ responses to this challenge been so ineffective and at times so inaudible? What skills do policy-makers need to survive and thrive in this environment, and how can schools of public policy –perhaps the ultimate bastions of reasoned judgement in the pursuit of public service– contribute to the defence of liberal democratic values?

Jason Furman (@jasonfurman) is Professor at the John Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Former Head of the Council of Economic Advisers to President Obama.

Sara Hobolt (@sarahobolt) is Sutherland Chair in European Institutions and professor in the Department of Government and the European Institute at LSE.

Yascha Mounk (@Yascha_Mounk) is a Lecturer on Government at Harvard University, a Senior Fellow at New America, and a Columnist at Slate. He is the author of The People vs Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It.

Andrés Velasco (@AndresVelasco) is the inaugural Dean of the new School of Public Policy. Professor Velasco has an exceptional breadth of experience in a distinguished career spanning academia, policy and politics. He was the Minister of Finance in Chile between 2006 and 2010 and held professorial roles at the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia University´s School of International and Public Affairs. He has advised governments around the world and formulated policy at the highest levels.

Minouche Shafik is Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Prior to this she was Deputy Governor of the Bank of England.

The School of Public Policy (@LSEPublicPolicy) equips you with the skills and ideas to transform people and societies. We are an international community where ideas and practice meet. Our approach creates professionals with the ability to analyse, understand and resolve the challenges of contemporary governance.

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSESPP

Podcast & Video

A podcast and video of this event are available to download from Policy-Making in an Age of Populism.

The recording of the Facebook Live of this event is available to watch at Policy-Making in an Age of Populism.

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.