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Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy

Mon, November 8, 2021
Dinner Program
Tom Nichols

Over the past three decades, citizens of democracies who claim to value freedom, tolerance, and the rule of law have increasingly embraced illiberal politicians and platforms. Democracy is in trouble—but who is really to blame? Tom Nichols, professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, challenges the current depictions of the rise of illiberal and anti-democratic movements in the United States and elsewhere as the result of the deprivations of globalization or the malign decisions of elites. Rather, he places the blame for the rise of illiberalism on the people themselves and makes a strong argument for civic re-engagement.

Tom Nichols is a U.S. Naval War College professor, and an adjunct at the U.S. Air Force School of Strategic Force Studies, and the Harvard Extension School. He is a specialist on international security affairs, including U.S.-Russia relations, nuclear strategy, and NATO issues.

A nationally-known commentator on U.S. politics and national security, he is a columnist for USA Today and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. He is the author of  "The Death of Expertise" (2017), "No Use: Nuclear Weapons and US National Security" (2013), and "Eve of Destruction: The Coming Age of Preventive War" (2008). His newest book is "Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy" (2021).

He served as a staff member in the U.S. Senate and has held fellowships at CSIS and the Harvard Kennedy School. He has taught at Dartmouth, La Salle and Georgetown. And, he is also a five-time undefeated 'Jeopardy!' champion.

Biography excerpted from https://usnwc.edu
Abstract adapted from book cover and reviews

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