Resisting the Bro-ligarchy: Politics, Polarization and Populism

Social media platforms were designed to bring us closer together. Instead, society is more polarized than ever. Are the platforms that were designed to foster connection creating an existential threat to democracy?  

As a wave of populist, anti-democratic heads of state are elected around the world, we can’t help but wonder how Silicon Valley social media billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are shaping the conversation. In the case of our neighbours to the south, the newly re-instated Trump administration is outwardly revealing its ties to the “bro-ligarchy.” 

As Canada heads into our own federal election, will we be able to resist the “bro-ligarchy”? 

Join Dr. Jaigris Hodson at this panel event that brings together experts from a variety of fields to discuss technology, online status, political influence, polarization, and the factors that drive the global populist turn. Experts will also offer suggestions for how to resist these forces and protect both democracy and the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Your panelists: 

• Daniel Drache, professor emeritus of Political Science at York University and senior research fellow at the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies.  

• Jaigris Hodson, associate professor in the College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University and Canada Research Chair for Digital Communication for the Public Interest.  

• Thomas Homer-Dixon, founder and executive director of the Cascade Institute at Royal Roads University. 

• Victoria O’meara, lecturer of Digital Media in the School of Arts, Media and Communication at the University of Leicester. 

• Shauneen Pete, faculty in the College of Interdisciplinary Studies and chair of the Emerging Indigenous Scholars Circle at Royal Roads University.  

• Moderated by Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads University. 

Online attendance also available. Please register here for the online event to receive a link.