Sam Wilkin

  • Author and Geopolitical Analyst
  • Director of Political Risk Analytics, Willis Towers Watson
  • Former Head of Business Research, Oxford Economics

Sam Wilkin is an author and geopolitical analyst. He is director of political risk analytics at Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, brokering and solutions company that operates in more than 140 countries and markets. He is responsible for developing and implementing political risk analysis and management tools and solutions for Willis Towers Watson clients globally.

Sam is a frequent speaker on current affairs, the economic outlook, emerging markets, and geopolitical risk. He also advises corporations and governments on global economic issues ranging from the rise of populism to the stability of the Eurozone. His speaking engagements have taken him to Munich, Kitzbühel, Barcelona, San Francisco, Dublin and London, with speaking clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies Tech Data and McDonald’s to international conferences covering risk management, supply chain management and private equity.

Sam’s most recent book, History Repeating: Why Populists Rise and Governments Fall, published in April 2018, explains today’s tumultuous politics by showing that it has all happened before. It tells the stories of Argentina’s century of populism and decline, of the great American populist Huey Long, and of the divisive, populist billionaire who governed Thailand, among others – and in the process offers insight into what is happening now and what might happen next.

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • Avnet
  • Xerox
  • Gap, Inc.
  • Computer 2000
  • Investkredit
  • Tech Data Europe
Rave Reviews About Sam Wilkin as a Speaker
Sam Wilkin provided expert insight on the European economy in an informative and amusing manner...So good, we asked him back again.

Keynote Clip: The trouble with impeachment | Brown University [3:39] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Sam Wilkin
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Ten Things You Need to Know about Populism

We are living through a populist moment. The share of the vote won by populist parties in the world’s leading democracies recently averaged almost 40% - a level not reached since the eve of World War II. Sam will share the stories of some of the more extraordinary populist politicians in history, an ...

We are living through a populist moment. The share of the vote won by populist parties in the world’s leading democracies recently averaged almost 40% - a level not reached since the eve of World War II. Sam will share the stories of some of the more extraordinary populist politicians in history, and talk about what you need to know to continue to thrive at a time when populists are shaking up politics in Europe and North America. 

 

It's OK to Cry for Argentina

A great many countries were once poor and are now rich. But there is only one country in modern history that became rich and then poor again, and that is Argentina. Sam will talk about the lessons Argentina’s century of populism and decline, and the geopolitical risks from populism today. Watch: Jua ...

A great many countries were once poor and are now rich. But there is only one country in modern history that became rich and then poor again, and that is Argentina. Sam will talk about the lessons Argentina’s century of populism and decline, and the geopolitical risks from populism today. Watch: Juan Peron’s populist magic >> 

 

Huey Long, American Populist

In the 1920s, Huey Long gained very nearly dictatorial control of the state of Louisiana, declaring martial law in New Orleans, twice. He was also immensely popular, winning elections by overwhelming majorities. Sam will explain how, under certain conditions, populists have electoral superpowers, an ...

In the 1920s, Huey Long gained very nearly dictatorial control of the state of Louisiana, declaring martial law in New Orleans, twice. He was also immensely popular, winning elections by overwhelming majorities. Sam will explain how, under certain conditions, populists have electoral superpowers, and how populists impact financial markets.

The Life of Foo Foo: A Populist Tail

In 1997, Thailand suffered a punishing financial crisis. A few years later, the country elected a populist billionaire, seemingly in the mold of U.S. President Donald Trump. Roughly fifteen years later, Thailand’s democracy collapsed. But it was not the billionaire populist who did it. Sam will expl ...

In 1997, Thailand suffered a punishing financial crisis. A few years later, the country elected a populist billionaire, seemingly in the mold of U.S. President Donald Trump. Roughly fifteen years later, Thailand’s democracy collapsed. But it was not the billionaire populist who did it. Sam will explain why ordinary people sometimes take dramatic political action, and why the dangers of populism are not always what they seem. Watch: The Thai Donald Trump? >>

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Books by Sam Wilkin
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Biography

Sam Wilkin is an author and geopolitical analyst. He is director of political risk analytics at Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, brokering and solutions company that operates in more than 140 countries and markets. He is responsible for developing and implementing political risk analysis and management tools and solutions for Willis Towers Watson clients globally.

Sam’s most recent book, History Repeating: Why Populists Rise and Governments Fall, published in April 2018, explains today’s tumultuous politics by showing that it has all happened before. It tells the stories of Argentina’s century of populism and decline, of the great American populist Huey Long, and of the divisive, populist billionaire who governed Thailand, among others – and in the process offers insight into what is happening now and what might happen next.

Sam is also the author, co-author or editor of three additional books and of numerous articles and chapters in edited volumes. He previously served as head of business research at Oxford Economics, associate director of the consultancy practice at Oxford Analytica, head of political risk consulting for Aon Trade Credit and as director of country analysis for Marvin Zonis & Associates. He received his M.A. in international relations from the University of Chicago and B.A. in economics from Eckerd College, and was the 2004 alumni fellow for Eckerd College. In 2017 and 2018 he was a visiting fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University.