28
April 2020
Past Event
Video Event | Democracy and Authoritarianism in the Age of Pandemic

Video Event | Democracy and Authoritarianism in the Age of Pandemic

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
April 28, 2020
28
April 2020
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia 20004

Speakers:
Blaise Misztal

Former Fellow

Heather Nauert

Former Senior Fellow

Torrey Taussig

Research Director, Project on Europe and the Transatlantic Relationship, Harvard Kennedy School

Daniel Twining

President, International Republican Institute

**Please be advised: This event will be premiering at 12:00 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, April 28.**

The COVID-19 pandemic is erupting at a time when democracy was already being challenged by authoritarian regimes. Now, competitors to the liberal order are treating the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to exploit for their advantage. But the crisis is also an opportunity to prove the resilience of democracy and could drive new demands for freedom.

Authoritarian regimes such as the Chinese Communist Party are not just cementing their grip on power at home, but also touting their political systems as a model for others to emulate. At the same time, last year also saw robust pro-democracy movements arise around the world—including in Hong Kong, Iran, and Sudan. The current pandemic will impact all these dynamics: Shutdowns inhibit major public protests, crises create opportunities for autocrats to seize power, differences in health outcomes in democratic and autocratic countries can shift global attitudes, and public health surveillance systems collide with civil liberties.

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion on what the ongoing crisis means for the future of global democracy and what the United States and allies can do to protect freedom around the world.

Related Events
04
August 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Taiwan’s Ever-Changing Security Environment
Featured Speakers:
Riley Walters
Dr. Michael Hunzeker
Dr. Liang-chih Evans Chen
Can Kasapoğlu
Getty Images
04
August 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Taiwan’s Ever-Changing Security Environment

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion on Taiwan’s rapidly changing security and defense industry. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Riley Walters
Dr. Michael Hunzeker
Dr. Liang-chih Evans Chen
Can Kasapoğlu
28
July 2026
Past Event
The US-Armenia Relationship and the Future of the South Caucasus: A Conversation with Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan
Michael Doran
Getty Images
28
July 2026
Past Event
The US-Armenia Relationship and the Future of the South Caucasus: A Conversation with Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan

Join Senior Fellow Michael Doran for a candid conversation with H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan, ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America, as they discuss the developments, challenges, and opportunities defining the US-Armenia relationship.  

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan
Michael Doran
24
July 2026
Past Event
Taiwan’s National Mobilization Against the China Threat
Featured Speakers:
Chi-Chang Tsai
Pao-Yang Shen
Ting-Yu Wang
Miles Yu
Taiwan Defense
24
July 2026
Past Event
Taiwan’s National Mobilization Against the China Threat

Please join Hudson Institute’s China Center as Miles Yu hosts a panel with key members of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and the Democratic Progressive Party to examine Taiwan’s mobilization efforts against the CCP’s increasing threats.

Taiwan Defense
Featured Speakers:
Chi-Chang Tsai
Pao-Yang Shen
Ting-Yu Wang
Miles Yu
22
July 2026
Past Event
A Conversation on US Communications Law
Featured Speakers:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
Robert M. McDowell
Kirk R. Arner
Arielle Roth
The seal for the Federal Communications Commission at FCC headquarters on February 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
22
July 2026
Past Event
A Conversation on US Communications Law

Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Robert McDowell for a discussion of the book and communications law with the authors, Harold Furchtgott-Roth, Kirk Arner, and Arielle Roth.

The seal for the Federal Communications Commission at FCC headquarters on February 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
Robert M. McDowell
Kirk R. Arner
Arielle Roth