On Nov. 16, the Western alum presented the Clissold Lecture at the university, with the title ‘The Autocrats Are at the Gate! “Following last week’s mid-term election results in the U.S., there is a feeling that democracy has dodged a bullet,” she said. The Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection was waving to people that systems in functioning democracies are fragile.”The presence of autocratic leaders, Off said, went against the foundational principles of democracy. “Most autocrats today do not have to send in the tanks to crush dissent or opposition. To understand the success of these leaders, Off said one must understand the fears and uncertainties fueling the feelings of their supporters.
