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.

Public Opinion, Polarization, and Pushback on the Impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte

With months ahead of impeachment trial of Sara Duterte in the Philippine Senate, we can expect more political theatrics to unfold and try to win over public opinion.

Forced Conscription in Eritrea: No Opportunities for the Youth of Eritrea

Eritrea’s forced conscription into national service has resulted in a struggling education sector and thousands of people fleeing the country.

The Politics of Shame: How Bobotante Narrative Poses Threats to Philippine Democracy

In democratic countries, elections are seen as a great equalizer for each individual, as they are entitled to free expression, regardless of their background. However, this is not the case in the Philippines, as the 2022 election has turned into a battlefield of shame...

What Is Happening In Venezuela? And What Can We Expect Moving Forward?

Sep 12, 2024 | University of Notre Dame

Laura Gamboa is an Assistant Professor of Democracy and Global Affairs at the Keough School at the University of Notre Dame. She is an Affiliated Faculty of the Democratic...

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

Sep 12, 2024 | 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...

What Does the Russian Invasion of Ukraine Mean for Belarus?

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

Belarus is widely regarded as an authoritarian state, headed by President Alexander Lukashenko. His most recent, fraudulent reelection in 2020 inspired unprecedented pro-democracy protests, leading...

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

Public Opinion, Polarization, and Pushback on the Impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte

Forced Conscription in Eritrea: No Opportunities for the Youth of Eritrea

The Politics of Shame: How Bobotante Narrative Poses Threats to Philippine Democracy

What Is Happening In Venezuela? And What Can We Expect Moving Forward?

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

What Does the Russian Invasion of Ukraine Mean for Belarus?

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

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