Fri. Sept. 4th Baldy Center conference on: Global Systemic Risks: War, Ecocide and Rising Autocracy
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2026 8:57 am
You are invited to attend the Baldy Center conference on:
Global Systemic Risks: War, Ecocide and Rising Autocracy.
The conference will take place on Sept. 4 (Friday), from 9:00 for breakfast, with talks from 9:30 until 4:30. In addition to other speakers, there are two highlights of this conference: 1) a powerful keynote address by Prof. Miquel Centano from Princeton Univ., professor of international relations, and sociology and head of Global Systemic Risks Group who will be talking about effects of diminishing democracy, persistent polarization and rise of populism on global situation
The Fragility of Democracy in a Systemically Risky World
Everyone at this conference is already familiar with the economic and social dangers of global systemic risk. I want to discuss the political ramifications of these threats. There seem to be two central sources of tension between GSR and politics: First, the apparently slow pace of democratic change leads to frustrations when fast answers are (apparently) needed. Second, we have the human phenomenon of delusion of control. Homo sapiens do not like uncertainty and we gravitate toward systems and personalities that can (once again, apparently) guarantee stability. Global system risks present occasions when the deliberations and checks and balances of democracies appear most frustrating. Authoritarian claims to resolve problems quickly and efficiently may also pull populations away from faith in their own ability to govern.
The second highlight is a presentation by a NYTimes photojournalist on war and ecological /human damage in Ukraine after the Russian Invasion. He is stationed in Kyiv but is currently visiting the US, so he could accept our invitation.
Global Systemic Risks: War, Ecocide and Rising Autocracy.
The conference will take place on Sept. 4 (Friday), from 9:00 for breakfast, with talks from 9:30 until 4:30. In addition to other speakers, there are two highlights of this conference: 1) a powerful keynote address by Prof. Miquel Centano from Princeton Univ., professor of international relations, and sociology and head of Global Systemic Risks Group who will be talking about effects of diminishing democracy, persistent polarization and rise of populism on global situation
The Fragility of Democracy in a Systemically Risky World
Everyone at this conference is already familiar with the economic and social dangers of global systemic risk. I want to discuss the political ramifications of these threats. There seem to be two central sources of tension between GSR and politics: First, the apparently slow pace of democratic change leads to frustrations when fast answers are (apparently) needed. Second, we have the human phenomenon of delusion of control. Homo sapiens do not like uncertainty and we gravitate toward systems and personalities that can (once again, apparently) guarantee stability. Global system risks present occasions when the deliberations and checks and balances of democracies appear most frustrating. Authoritarian claims to resolve problems quickly and efficiently may also pull populations away from faith in their own ability to govern.
The second highlight is a presentation by a NYTimes photojournalist on war and ecological /human damage in Ukraine after the Russian Invasion. He is stationed in Kyiv but is currently visiting the US, so he could accept our invitation.