Why do the worst people rise to power? | Brian Klaas

Brian Klaas is a political scientist and author who has written extensively on democracy, authoritarianism, and political violence.

In this video, Klaas explores the question of why the worst people often rise to power in politics.

Drawing on historical examples and contemporary politics, he argues that there are a number of factors that contribute to this phenomenon, including the failure of institutions, the role of social media and disinformation, and the appeal of strongman politics to certain segments of the population.

Ultimately, Klaas contends that the only way to prevent the rise of bad actors in politics is to actively work to strengthen democratic institutions and defend the principles of liberal democracy.