Democracy Under Siege: Trump and the Intersection of Populism and Authoritarianism

Course Code: SUM2534

Start Date: 24/07/2025

Thursday

Session: Morning

Delivery method: Centre Only

Length in weeks: 3

Time: 10am-12pm

Price: £

This three-week course will explore the global rise of authoritarian populism, focusing on Donald Trump’s presidency. Students will analyse how populist leaders use rhetoric to erode democratic norms and institutions, examining Trump’s “America First” agenda and its potential impact on the UK and Europe. The course will cover charismatic authority, simple messaging, and traditionalism in building follower bases. It will also address the role of social media and other strategies that Trump and other leaders use. Students will develop critical thinking skills to analyse contemporary politics and strengthen their democratic resilience against future populist threats. This is an interactive course and exercises have been designed to stimulate informed discussion.