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.

These are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Trump’s Press Ban and The Courts Response

Access to unbarred media is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of a democratic country. Without independent media, the stream of information to voters is disrupted making people's understanding of their political environment inaccurate. If the media...

Trump’s Use of the SAVE Database May Threaten Democratic Participation

On Friday, September 25th, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to make use of the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to screen state voter lists for possible noncitizens temporarily. The...

The Press and the Limits of Presidential Power

On September 25, 2026, The Atlantic published Quinta Jurecic’s article, “The Two-Year Temper Tantrum to Come,” about President Donald Trump’s recent fight with the White House press. Just one day earlier, a federal judge had ordered the White House to restore access...

Myanmar’s Democracy Crisis

Mar 8, 2026 | University of Houston

On February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s (Burma) military, known as the Tatmadaw, seized control of the country and overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu...

The SAVE Act, Voter Suppression, and Erosion in the US

Mar 4, 2026 | Arizona State University

An updated version of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE, Act was passed by the House of Representatives on February 11th of this year. Meant to “[ensure] the...

The “Overturning” of Roe V Wade: A Pro-Democratic Process Ruling?

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

In delivering the opinion of the court on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito states: “Abortion presents a profound moral issue on which Americans hold...

The Polarization and Politicization of the US Supreme Court

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

The Supreme Court, as an institution, has endured many changes — from the expansion of the court in 1790 from seven to nine justices, to the court packing plan attempted by Franklin D. Roosevelt....

Coups and Chaos: The Key Factors in Burkina Faso’s Government Gone Wrong

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

On September 30, 2022, Burkina Faso experienced its second coup within a year, ousting the now former President Lieutenant-Colonel Pual-Henri Damiba in favor of Ibrahim Traore, one of the army...

Voter Suppression as a Means for Stealth Authoritarianism in the United States

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

January 6th, 2021 was a harrowing day in American history by many metrics. The country watched as a mob of President Trump’s supporters stormed the United States Capitol with the intent of...

Thailand’s Government Continues Expanding Their Rights at the Expense of Its People

Oct 15, 2022 | Ohio State University

From a young age, we learn to make the most of the hand we’re dealt. As time goes on, we learn to adapt. We learn to use the mechanisms in place to achieve our goals. We see this in politics as...

Is Niger a Democratic State? Not Yet.

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Is Niger a democratic state? Three years ago, the answer would’ve been a solid no. Niger's current condition after last year’s presidential election renders today’s answer as an unsteady maybe....

Weaponizing Misinformation Laws: Turkey’s Crackdown on Opposition Media

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan The parliament of Turkey has passed a media anti-misinformation bill proposed by the country’s authoritarian president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While the...

Talks of a Potential Third Term Plagues Indonesia

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

As we continue to feel the effects of the Covid-19 virus, Indonesia faces a looming dilemma regarding their next important election coming in 2024. The country's current president Joko Widodo (known...

Femicides In Ecuador Weaken Foundations of Democracy

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

“Police kill, femicidal state” read the sign of a protestor standing outside of the Quito Police Headquarters on September 21st. The protest came as a response to news that broke earlier that day:...