Hamilton Hosts Constitution Day Lecture on American Descent into Authoritarianism

Photo by Colin Ellis '29

On September 11th, 2025, Hamilton College celebrated Constitution Day by inviting Professor Lucan Ahmad Way, of the University of Toronto to speak to students. Professor Way spoke about how thoroughly we, as Americans, are failing to live up to the constitution itself.

Perhaps not in those words. No, Way used one particular word: abdication. Way defined this as “when those with the power and the responsibility to defend democracy choose not to.”

This abdication has led to what Way described as a “descent into authoritarianism,”characterized by censorship of the media, overextension of government agencies, and undue control over law firms and other private institutions.

Way declared that abdication had destroyed American democracy in just two steps. First, the rise to power of Republican leaders opposing President Donald Trump’s impeachment following the events of the January 6th insurrection, as well as the Supreme Court’s decision to allow presidents and former presidents broad immunity for official acts taken in office.

Second, the entrenchment of power, allowed by the Senate confirming loyalists to the cabinet and Congress allowing Trump to take emergency power– with no emergency.

Attendee Gemma Hacker ‘29, a student in the Intro to Political Theory course at Hamilton, agreed with Way saying, “Honestly, just Trump” was responsible for the current political climate.

Yet Way did not begin his calls for accountability with the government. Instead, Way described the path that a society takes toward authoritarianism. And it starts with individuals– either people or corporations. Individuals and corporations which, Way insisted, must be held accountable.

Way himself had a few examples, the most relevant of which being Jeff Bezos. Bezos, the founder and former CEO of Amazon, was a known progressive until Trump came to power in his second term. Cowed by the news reports of targeted tariffs and attacks on businesses, Bezos withdrew his support for Trump’s presidential opponent Kamala Harris and censured his own media outlet, the Washington Post, from being too critical of Trump.

When asked which entities they thought should be held accountable, several Hamilton students had their own suggestions. One student suggested Target, for their quick agreement to Trump’s suggestions to repeal diversity, equity, and inclusion (more colloquially known as DEI) efforts.

As the lecture ended, Way left the audience with one piece of advice: “fight losing battles.” Way insisted that doing so would draw attention to the issues at hand, and bring more supporters to the issue.

Sophia Robertson ‘29, who came to Hamilton from Texas, explained her choice of losing battle. “If you’re a leftist living in a red state, stay put. I know how hard it is to feel like your voice and your vote don’t matter,” Robertson said. “Every vote, even when rendered meaningless by the electoral college, has the power to send a message.”

As Way said, citing a quote by American politician Sarah McBride, “When everyone has just a little bit of courage, then no one has to be a hero.”