Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Students enrolled in our course are encouraged to write for the course blog, and to read and comment on posts from students at other participating universities. The blog offers students the opportunity to analyze current events through the lens of the theory and case studies they engage with through the course.

Fighting Fake News: Lessons from the World’s Top Target

2018 was a year of awakening in Taiwan. Two high-profile events threw the consequences of fake news into relief. First, Su Chii-cherng, the envoy to Osaka for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, took his own life in September 2018 after false reports about him...

Can Democracies Wait Another 2,500 Years to Meet Today’s Needs?

In 500 BC, during Athens' golden age of democracy, the voting age was set at 18. Over 2,500 years later, this threshold remains the same in the vast majority (90%) of countries. However, as democracies grapple with rising populism, authoritarianism, marginalization of...

Présidence Impériale: Executive Aggrandizement in Macron’s France

Amidst significant challenges to France’s democracy, President Emmanuel Macron has ignored democratic norms and abused constitutional articles to expand his own power—periling France’s democracy.

A Saving Grace or Simply Smoke and Mirrors? How Rafael Correa’s 2008 Constitution Deceived the People of Ecuador

Ohio State University

The people of Ecuador were facing chronic turnover in government leading to loss of morale, stability, and hope. That had experienced years of dissatisfaction in government....

Red Flag in Nepal: PM Oli Considers Law to Weaken Opposition

Ohio State University

“Hitler, who dreamed of conquering the world, was alone when he died. Therefore, abandon the Hitler style.”...

Words of Warning: How Trump’s Rhetoric Reveals Potential Authoritarianism

Ohio State University

For years now, former President Donald Trump has been enamored with claims of fraud in the 2020 election and unruly insulting his opponents. The 2024 election season has been no different. As a main...

Foreign Interference: Is Iran Running the 2024 Election, What does this mean for America’s Democracy?

Ohio State University

As America reaches election day in November, the 2024 presidential race has been found to be a topic of the utmost importance to not only Americans but foreign actors. As influence of U.S Policy...

Does the State of US Media Mean We Are in Democratic Free-fall? No, Not Really.

Ohio State University

The environment around US media has shifted dramatically over the last decade. Independence in US journalism has been a source of pride and confidence to the US people, but is this still true? The...

Dictator Loading: How Trump’s Reaction to the 2020 Election Predicts the Future

Ohio State University

Donald Trump showed his autocratic desires in 2020 when he claimed that the election had been rigged against him before it had even been called. On the night of November 5th, 2020 President Trump...

Democrat’s Dangerous Cost-Benefit Analysis: Will Abandoning Binding Primaries to Defeat Trump Hurt or Help American Democracy in the Long-Term?

Ohio State University

Today, it is likely that anyone driving through a particularly “liberal” American neighborhood will notice yard signs that beg “Vote Harris! Save Democracy.” With the 2024 presidential election less...

Next Entries »

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Fighting Fake News: Lessons from the World’s Top Target

Can Democracies Wait Another 2,500 Years to Meet Today’s Needs?

Présidence Impériale: Executive Aggrandizement in Macron’s France

A Saving Grace or Simply Smoke and Mirrors? How Rafael Correa’s 2008 Constitution Deceived the People of Ecuador

Red Flag in Nepal: PM Oli Considers Law to Weaken Opposition

Words of Warning: How Trump’s Rhetoric Reveals Potential Authoritarianism

Foreign Interference: Is Iran Running the 2024 Election, What does this mean for America’s Democracy?

Does the State of US Media Mean We Are in Democratic Free-fall? No, Not Really.

Dictator Loading: How Trump’s Reaction to the 2020 Election Predicts the Future

Democrat’s Dangerous Cost-Benefit Analysis: Will Abandoning Binding Primaries to Defeat Trump Hurt or Help American Democracy in the Long-Term?

The Future of The E.U.: What The Recent Parliamentary Elections Tell Us by Frankie Vascellaro

The Threat of Misinformation and Disinformation to American Democracy in the Digital Age by Cecilia Cooley

Bolivia’s Decline in Democracy: The Failure to Uphold Constitutional Integrity by Danielle Schmitz

Bolivia’s Decline in Democracy: The Failure to Uphold Constitutional Integrity

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