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.

Donald Trump the Nazi Reincarnate?: Godwin’s Law and How This Phenomenon is Counterproductive to Understanding Democratic Erosion

What do we hope to accomplish when comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, a tyrannical perpetrator of genocide?

The Russia-Ukraine War Bodes Poorly for Democracy, But Not in the Way You Think

The Russia-Ukraine War is a serious threat to global democracy through the growing wave of isolationism in the United States, an entity that has typically been at the forefront of fighting authoritarianism across the world.

The Trump Administration’s Attack on USAID

The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID, increase concerns about democratic backsliding as it could result in a trend with the executive undermining institutional legitimacy.

Why Iranian Elections Don’t Matter Anymore

Jan 31, 2024 | Sabanci University

Elections in Iran used to be quite competitive and consequential. However, the democratic elements of the regime were successively weakened and even moderate former...

Will Slovakia follow Hungary’s path?

Jan 7, 2024 | Sabanci University

In recent years, the Slovak political situation has been characterized by instability, polarization, corruption, and a resurgence of populist forces. The political...

The Death of Torres and Democracy in Nicaragua

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

Last week Hugo Torres Jimenez, a Nicaraguan ex-rebel leader, retired army general, and outspoken critic of President Daniel Ortega died from illness in prison eight months after being detained on...

Identity Politics Influence Supreme Court Nomination

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

In a letter to President Biden last month, United States Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his intentions to step down and retire at the end of his term. His retirement leaves an open...

Why Democracy Supporters Should Be Concerned with the Alabama Redistricting Decision

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

On February 7, 2022, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that a potentially illegal congressional map of Alabama may be used in the upcoming 2022 election. Critics of this decision point out...

Problems Are Better Seen from the Outside: Three Reasons Why it Is Unfair to Blame Populations for Unintentionally Supporting Would-Be Autocrats

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

It is common for people to look at the destruction of foreign nations’ democratic institutions with confusion. They wonder how anyone could sit back and allow their government to be destroyed, or...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Donald Trump the Nazi Reincarnate?: Godwin’s Law and How This Phenomenon is Counterproductive to Understanding Democratic Erosion

The Russia-Ukraine War Bodes Poorly for Democracy, But Not in the Way You Think

The Trump Administration’s Attack on USAID

Why Iranian Elections Don’t Matter Anymore

Will Slovakia follow Hungary’s path?

The Death of Torres and Democracy in Nicaragua

Identity Politics Influence Supreme Court Nomination

Why Democracy Supporters Should Be Concerned with the Alabama Redistricting Decision

Problems Are Better Seen from the Outside: Three Reasons Why it Is Unfair to Blame Populations for Unintentionally Supporting Would-Be Autocrats

Gerrymandering in the United States 2020 Redistricting Cycle

Ortega’s Hold on Legislative and Judicial Branches Catastrophic for Civil Liberties

Bhutan and the Roads to Its Democratic Downfall

What the Invasion of Ukraine Means for Internet Freedom in Russia

Putin’s Authoritarianism Influencing a Potential Invasion of Ukraine

Join Our Listserv