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.

Suspicions of Speeches

Dec 8, 2023 | University of Memphis

Speeches are a political tool commonly used worldwide, but when they are used in a manner that distinctively promotes one's agenda and avoids accountability, it becomes...

Dangers to Freedom of the Press: October 3rd NewsClick Raid

Dec 7, 2023 | Boston University

By: Mika George PO 333 On October 3rd, New Delhi police raided the homes of journalists working for the news website, NewsClick, an outlet that had been critical of Prime...

Populist Roots Behind Argentina’s Current Uncertainty

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

From Glory to Grains: Why Decades of Populist Chokehold Led to the Deterioration of Argentina's Economy and Leadership After juggling populism since the 1940s, the stability of Argentina’s economic...

Donald Trump’s Push to Question Election Legitimacy: Are Populist Tactics a Threat to Democracy?

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

What was meant to be a peaceful transition of power from the 45th to the 46th President of the United States turned into a doubting of the electoral institutions from former President Donald Trump....

Internet Freedom in Democracies: Too Much or Too Little?

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Since social media's rise in the early 2000s, the world has witnessed the rise and fall of big tech’s claim to aid democracy through increased freedom of expression. This issue begs the question: is...

Misinformation Threatens Mutual Tolerance: The Impact of the Capitol Riot on American Democracy

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

On January 6, 2021, American democracy changed for the worse. The norm of a peaceful transition of power had been shattered as rioters stormed the Capitol where Congress was in session certifying...

The Crumbling of Philippine Democracy Under Duterte’s Presidency

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Under the six-year term of Duterte’s authoritarian-populist presidency in the Philippines, democracy has been threatened through the censorship of the media and human rights violations. Executive...

Justin Trudeau’s Emergency Order Is Unusual, But Not Undemocratic

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Trudeau has faced criticism for invoking Canada's Emergencies Act, but his move doesn't necessarily signal democratic erosion. Brett Gundlock for the New York Times Chaos erupted in the city of...

Is the U.S. Supreme Court’s Alabama Redistricting Decision an Indicator of Democratic Erosion?

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

On February 7th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the state of Alabama could move forward with a congressional district map that a lower court had deemed an illegal racial...

Was the US Doomed For Democratic Erosion Long Before President Donald Trump? How Gerrymandering Contributed to His Rise in Power

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Countless Americans were left stunned after a Trump victory in 2016, with the majority of news outlets and polls predicting a win for Democratic Candidate and Former Secretary of State, Hillary...

Malaysia, COVID-19, and Stealth Authoritarianism

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

How Malaysia fell victim to stealth authoritarianism in the midst of the pandemic, and what us Malaysians should can do moving forward. The Southeast Asia region is still reeling from the COVID-19...