How the erosion of modern governments threatens our future – Impressions from Jeffrey Kopstein’s lecture
On June 16, Jeffrey Kopstein, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine, gave a public lecture entitled “Trump and the Assault on the State” at the Research Centre Normative Orders. The starting point of his presentation was the observation that attacks on modern statehood are increasing in many countries: Politicians are coming to power who deliberately want to weaken or even destroy central institutions.
Kopstein highlighted the dangers associated with such erosion processes – both at a political level and in everyday life. In particular, he emphasized the role of personal and emotional loyalties, which are increasingly replacing legal and institutional structures. This development contrasts sharply with the modern, bureaucratic state system. It is therefore all the more important to maintain and strengthen the foundations of the rule of law in order to counteract these worrying trends.
The lecture was based on Kopstein’s latest book “The Assault on the State”, which he co-authored with political scientist Stephen E. Hanson and which was published by Polity in June 2024. The event was organized by the Research Centre Normative Orders in cooperation with PRIF.
