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The Power and Allure of Dictators
September 22, 2020 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
In the face of populist pressures, many nations around the world are turning to authoritarian leaders whose attachment to the liberal values of democracy, transparency, and human rights is questionable at best or outright denied. What inspires people to prefer the rule of one person over sharing power among many? By what right do individuals assume they speak for everyone? Are there common factors that lead to dictatorships or characterize how they function? To answer these questions, we will review the history and development of “dictators” from the earliest use of the term in ancient Rome to the autocrats in Latin America in the 20th century and today. Since dictators often establish their legitimacy through legal means and then abuse the power consigned to them, we should learn how to recognize them before we’re ruled by them. Join us for this review of despots past and present.
SCHEDULE & TOPICS
Monday, September 21 at 5:30 pm
Roman Use and Abuse: Republican Dictators from Cincinnatus to Caesar
Richard J. A. Talbert, William Rand Kenan Jr. Professor of History
Tuesday, September 22 at 5:30 pm
Napoleon: Sovereignty, Revolution, and the First Nationalist Dictator
Maximilian P. Owre, Teaching Assistant Professor of History and Executive Director, Carolina Public Humanities
Wednesday, September 23 at 5:30 pm
Stalin: Ideology and Terror
Anna Krylova, Associate Professor of History, Duke University
Thursday, September 24 at 5:30 pm
Por la patria: Nationalism and Autocracy in Latin America
Miguel La Serna, Professor of History
Friday, September 25 at 5:30 pm
Why Dictators? The Appeal and Dangers of One-Person Rule
A panel discussion with our speakers
TUITION
This webinar is a virtual event. Tuition is $40, which includes “admission” to the webinar in real time (with live Q&A) as well as access to the closed-caption recorded talks to watch at your leisure for up to 2 weeks after the event.
**Save money by purchasing a season pass to all 5 fall webinars for only $150 ($125 for GAA members).**
Tuition is free for K-12 teachers. If you are a current K-12 teacher, click here to register.
Co-Sponsored by the General Alumni Association.
For information about GAA discounts and other scholarships available to Humanities Program participants, click here.
Register here or call us at 919.962.1544.
Registrants will receive instructions for accessing the event online about a week before the program date. If you have not received any information from CPH by the day before the event, please contact us ASAP.