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 blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Flip a Coin: Voting in the United States of America

Voting in the United States of America is portrayed as the foundation of the world's greatest democracy, the ultimate freedom amongst an endless list of freedoms. But this century has seen a shadow of doubt thrown upon the idea of voting as the outcomes and processes...

The Invisible Line: El Salvador in the Gray Zone between Democracy and Dictatorship

Stealth authoritarianism is the process in which political elites gradually erode democratic systems not through overt force but by manipulation of the public’s fear. In this context, El Salvador has appeared as a representative example. By emphasizing crime reduction...

The Quiet Death of Democracy: Benin

Benin was once West Africa’s democratic model — now it’s a warning for every democracy that mistakes elections for accountability.

Hungary’s Legal Coup: How Viktor Orbán is Rewriting Democracy in Slow Motion

Oct 31, 2025 | University of Georgia

Hungary's erosion of democracy is occurring in courts, parliament and the wording of new laws, not in protests and demonstrations. Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party has been...

The Fragility of Federal Agencies: Why the National Institutes of Health Is at Risk

Oct 31, 2025 | University of Georgia

“Make America Healthy Again,” a take on the 2020 and 2024 campaign slogan of President Donald Trump, has recently released a strategy titled “Make Our Children Healthy...

Myanmar 2020 Election Fraud

May 17, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

Since gaining independence from British Rule, Myanmar, then known as Burma, experienced years of civil unrest between various ethnic groups. Just within 8 months after independence, the country was...

Continued Conflict in Ukraine

May 16, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

Continued Conflict in Ukraine As of late April, Ukraine has now been subject to this most recent military occupation by Russia for about two months. Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian...

The Partisan Divide of American Media

May 15, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

On April 21st, 2022, President Joe Biden unveiled the latest program of the Department of Homeland Security, Uniting for Ukraine. Under this new program, Ukrainian refugees can receive a 2-year...

Rodrigo Duterte’s Autocratic Regime and Democratic Erosion in the Philippines

May 14, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

As President Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year term comes to an end, this could mean positive change for democracy in the Philippines. Duterte’s autocratic regime and his war on drugs have threatened...

The Gauche Left: Why Can’t French Leftists Place in Round 2, and Why Does It Matter?

May 14, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

On April 24, French President Emmanuel Macron won the second round of the French presidential election, winning both a second term in office and a second campaign against rival Marine Le Pen. The...

Do Protests Do More Harm Than Good?

May 13, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

It is well accepted that protests are vital for a thriving democracy. They are viewed as an avenue for social change, in fact, other than voting they are one of the few other ways to voice your...

Mexico: Politics of Performance

May 13, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The result of the referendum was never in doubt. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (better known as AMLO), the president of Mexico, knew this. That is why he called it. Only around 19% of those who could...

Why Are Protests in Haiti Not Working?

May 13, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

Whenever you read the news it seems like there is always a protest going on in Haiti. The most recent protest that took place in March addressed the rising insecurity of the country. Current...

Democratic Erosion and Minority Rights in the United States

May 12, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The constitution, written in 1787, is considered a failproof document that lays the very foundations for democracy. The document was intended to be amendable and reconstructed throughout time....