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.

Arresting Opposition and Squashing Protests: Democratic Backsliding in Turkey Under Erdoğan

Turkey has been inching towards autocracy under Erdoğan and the AKP for the last 22 years.

2025 Romanian Elections: An Election Redo and a Barred Candidate

Only two weeks out from Presidential Elections, Romanian voters face a tough decision in deciding on the next leader of their country. The latest opinion polls show that nearly 40% of voters are still undecided on who to vote for. After all, most voters already cast...

Why Protecting American Democracy Means Coming Together In Protest

In the lead up to the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic Erosion Consortium's very own professors Robert Blair and Steven Rosenzweig wrote an article in The Boston Globe urging readers to “Get ready to protest like democracy depends on it.” The article was in...

Poland’s Democratic Paradox: The Remarkable Path Toward (and Away?) from Democratic Erosion

Apr 25, 2024 | William Jewell College

For any country, democratic backsliding can happen suddenly and, seemingly, unpredictably. The case for Poland, however, demonstrates predictors of erosion unseen anywhere...

Can an Earthquake Threaten the Non-Democratic Reign of Morocco’s King?

Apr 23, 2024 | Ursinus College

The wealthiest man in Morocco has little interest in abdicating his throne. He has barely any interest in spending his time in the land that he rules, either – former...

Brazil’s Bolsonaro is Following in Trump’s Footsteps… and Brazilians Should be Concerned

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

As long as now-infamous leader Jair Bolsonaro has been in power, both Brazilian and foreign experts have warned of the threat he and his administration pose to the world’s fifth largest democracy....

January 6th, 2021 and Democratic Erosion in America

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

The riot of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an unprecedented event in American history. That afternoon, thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol...

The Privatization of Democracy

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Amidst rising nationalism, increased corporate influence, and would be authoritarians, can American democracy find its place in a rapidly changing world? For many, former President Donald Trump has...

How COVID-19 Became One of the Biggest Threat to American Democracy in the 21st Century

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

A dire future for democracy lurks when the country’s institutions fail to properly function amid global crisis, especially if it threatens the very basic rights that the people have flourished under...

Political Participation in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Government: The Importance of Active Political Culture in a Young Democracy

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was elected to lead Ethiopia in 2018, overwhelming hope was felt for the first time by his electorate. Ethnic tensions between the Amhara and Oromo groups were...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Arresting Opposition and Squashing Protests: Democratic Backsliding in Turkey Under Erdoğan

2025 Romanian Elections: An Election Redo and a Barred Candidate

Why Protecting American Democracy Means Coming Together In Protest

Poland’s Democratic Paradox: The Remarkable Path Toward (and Away?) from Democratic Erosion

Can an Earthquake Threaten the Non-Democratic Reign of Morocco’s King?

Brazil’s Bolsonaro is Following in Trump’s Footsteps… and Brazilians Should be Concerned

January 6th, 2021 and Democratic Erosion in America

The Privatization of Democracy

How COVID-19 Became One of the Biggest Threat to American Democracy in the 21st Century

Political Participation in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Government: The Importance of Active Political Culture in a Young Democracy

The Race to Fill the SCOTUS Shows the Decline of Democratic Norms

Cuba’s Mass Trials: Increasing the Cost of Dissent

Republicans Are Succeeding at Their Long-Term Strategy

Will Brazilian Democracy Survive the 2022 Election Cycle?

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