Beatrice de Graaf
In the theatre evening Chaos in the Western World, historian Beatrice de Graaf convincingly demonstrates how the present seems oppressively similar to past times, and yet also reassuringly different from them. With knowledge of the past, how can we recognize a lurking danger to the democratic rule of law, or conversely, put our fears into perspective?
Trump is radically transforming America with his MAGA movement and rewriting the democratic rules of the game. And helpers like JD Vance would like to see the same happen here in Europe. Here, far-right politicians—from Wilders to Orban—are now openly dreaming of unhindered power. Now that democracy is crumbling worldwide and strong leaders like Netanyahu and Putin are bending the world to their will, ghosts from the past are looming.
About Chaos in the Western World
Through original cross-connections and sharp analyses, Beatrice takes you along the turning points of democracy. From the dark 1930s to the early 19th century, Beatrice teaches you to look at the present differently through the past. Chaos in the Western World is a history lesson for anyone who wants to know how we can protect democracy in our own time.
Beatrice de Graaf is a historian and Faculty Professor of Humanities at Utrecht University.
