Speakers Series of South Haven

Issues, Innovations & Ideas Shaping Our Lives

Challenges to Democracy: The Growth of Autocracy in the World

Dr. Joel Toppen

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Dr. Joel Toppen
Chair of Political Science Department, Hope College

Dr. Toppen explained that many democracies around the world have been declining into authoritarianism governments over the last several years. He defined the characteristics of once functioning democratic governments who have suffered the loss of free and open elections, the absence of freedom of the press and an independent judiciary.

———– Photos from the event —————

Watch the Video – Challenges to Democracy: The Growth of Autocracy in the World by Dr. Joel Toppen, Chair of Political Science Department, Hope College

Video by Richard Brunvand

The Speakers Series will pause until next Fall with presentations scheduled in September and October.

Previous Events Archive

2024
A Public Heath Approach to Solving Gun Violence in Michigan Natasha Bagdasarian, MD, MPH
Voices from across the Aisle Debbie Dingell, Fred Upton, reporter Rick Albin moderator
Using Media Literacy to Navigate the Promise and Perils of Artificial Intelligence Sue Ellen Christian, Professor WMU
Is Climate Change Affecting Lake Michigan? Dr. Drew Gronewold

2023
Cannabis…the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Jennifer Rigterink, Asst. Director MML
American Health Care. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. A Call for a New Model. Randy Oostra, DM, FACHE
Challenges to Democracy: The Growth of Autocracy in the World, Dr. Joel Toppen
The World According to Xi: Should US Fear China’s Rise? Dr. Ann Chih Lin

2022
How Technology Both Increases Polarization and Builds Bridges, Dr. Lisa Schirch
Game Changing Advances in Medicine, Medical Geneticist Dr. Caleb Bupp, MD
Best place to live in 2050? Michigan! Best-Selling Author Parag Khanna
The Roots of Russian – American Discord, Professor Dr. Jim Butterfield

2021
What Went Wrong in Afghanistan? Professor Dr. Joel Toppen
Michigan Business Recovery, Executive Editor Kelley Root
The Pandemic Economy and Beyond, Dr. Paul Isely | Rob Cleveland | Jim Hettinger
The Inside Story of the Virus and the Vaccine, Dr. H. Clifford Lane, M.D.

2020
We regret the 2020 Speakers Series presentations were canceled because of the COVID pandemic.

2019
Smart Thinking in a Post Truth Age, Psychologist David Myers
Top Trends Affecting Michigan, Governor Jennifer Granholm
The Great Lakes Water Wars Continue, Journalist Peter Anin
Affordable Housing: Obstacles and Solutions, Advocate Ryan Kilpatrick

2018
Reflections on Leadership and Perseverance, Mayor Dennis Archer
Michigan Mid-Term Election Issue, Journalist Phil Power
While Black People Slept, Professor Fred Johnson
Foreign Policy Challenges in 2018 and Beyond, Diplomat Jack Segal
A Road Map to Long Term Economic Recovery, Economist Marci Rossell McCarthy

2017
Bold Ideas for Better Schools, Educator Yvonne Caamal Canul
Mid East Issues, Professor Ebrahim Moosa
Immigration and Our Future, Entrepreneur Bing Goei
Making Michigan Work Even Better, Journalist Jack Lessenberry
Is College the Best Choice?, Educators Dr. Jean Norris and Michael Norris
The Supreme Court in the Crosshairs, Professor David Ryden

2016
Fake News 2016, Author A. Brad Schwartz
The Case for Sentencing and Prison Reform, Advocate Joe Haveman
Reconnecting with Nature in a Digital World, Educator Erik Mollenhauer
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?, Journalist Rick Albin, Dr. J.H. “Joe” Schwarz, Joan Bauer
Saving the Great Lakes: Water Quality Issues, EPA Senior Advisor Cameron Davis, Sr.

2015
Fighting Crime and Building Good Community Relations, U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles
The Case of Economic Optimism, Economist Marci Rossell McCarthy
Transformative Changes Ahead for Americans, Health Care Advocate Jamie Orlikoff
Water Tension and the Great Lakes Compact, Journalist Peter Annin