U.S. - Mexico Defense & Security Roundtable

I believe the rise of populism on both sides of the US-Mexico border presents considerable challenges to security cooperation and the strength of America's relationship with Latin America more broadly. Populism feeds on mass discontent with previously respected institutions and encourages the public to put their trust in charismatic political movements and figures. As seen with Lopez Obrador in Mexico and Donald Trump in the United States, populism often consolidates political power in one or very few individuals. As a result, democracy and the system of checks and balances that come with it are undermined by the cult of personality these figures cultivate. To overcome these challenges, academia, politicians, and civil servants to articulate both an intellectual and moral defense of our democratic and governmental institutions and to showcase their effectiveness through policy success.