Investing in Freedom: How Democracy Shapes Long-Term Value with Lauren Caplan & Philippe Bolopion

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, Georges Dyer hosts a powerful conversation with Philippe Bolopion (Managing Director at TOBAM) and Lauren Kaplan (Director of Governance and Risk Integration at Third Side Strategies) on why investors must pay attention to political risk and threats to democracy.

They explore the global trend of democratic backsliding, the clear links between democracy and economic growth, and how exposure to autocratic regimes creates long-term risks for investors. Philippe shares TOBAM’s “Liberty” strategy, designed to reduce exposure to autocratic countries, while Lauren highlights how investors and companies can strengthen governance practices and mitigate systemic risks through better oversight, due diligence, and corporate political responsibility.

From the U.S. to global markets, the discussion makes one thing clear: protecting democracy isn’t just a political concern—it’s an essential part of managing risk and creating sustainable long-term value.

Keywords: Political risk, democracy and investment, autocracy risk, systemic risk, long-term value, corporate governance, sustainable investing, fiduciary duty, democratic backsliding, investor responsibility