In this lecture, Dr. Martin Nekola, will explore the dynamics between populism, democratic decline, and non-democratic regimes in Europe. Drawing from his research on totalitarian systems and political developments across Eastern and Central Europe, Dr. Nekola will examine how modern populist movements challenge democratic institutions and how the legacies of communism continue to shape political discourse. Using contemporary case studies—including Ukraine and broader European responses to authoritarian threats—this discussion will offer insights into the shifting political landscape and what it may signal for the future of democracy on the continent.

Dr. Martin Nekola, Ph.D. received his doctorate in political science at the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. His research is focused on non-democratic regimes, the era of Communism, Czech communities abroad and the East-European anti-communist exiles in the USA during the Cold War. From time to time he participates in the election observation missions organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). He is the member of Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), he is the author of more than three hundred articles and has published twenty four books. He is also the Czechoslovak Talks Project (www.czechoslovaktalks.com/en) coordinator.