“Imagine a world where democracy lives up to its lofty promise… where problems are solved by debate and compromise rather than vitriol and internet trolls. A nice thought isn’t it?” asks Brian Klaas. As a scholar of democracy and authoritarianism, he’s seen fear-and-division politics rising across the world, but says we’re more powerful than we think in reversing this trend. Beyond the uncomfortable stats of our civic shortcomings; he shares moments with those he’s met risking their freedom and their lives for a democratic choice; and offers five concrete ways we can start changing what we don’t like. Dr Brian Klaas is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, American politics, Western foreign policy, political violence, and elections -- and the security and economic risks of all these challenges.

Dr Klaas is the author of "The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy". He is a Fellow in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics. Dr Klaas has advised governments, US political campaigns, the European Union, multi-billion dollar investors, international NGOs, and international politicians.

Dr Klaas writes a regular column in DemocracyPost, based at The Washington Post. He is also a regular contributor on a wide array of print publications, as well as media outlets, including MSNBC, CNN, BBC News, Sky News, NPR News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, BBC World Service, and many others.

Dr Klaas is an American, speaks French and is proficient in Arabic in addition to his native English. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx