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.

Populism’s Erosion of Israeli Politics: A Müller Analysis of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Impact

Oct 18, 2023 | Boston University

In his book "What is Populism," Jan-Werner Müller presents a nuanced definition of populism that emphasizes its anti-pluralist, exclusionary nature and appeal to the chosen...

The Threat of Extreme Partisanship in the Post-Trump Era: Warnings from the Ouster of Kevin McCarthy

Oct 18, 2023 | Boston University

On October 3rd, 2023, Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House of Representatives in a 216-210 vote, becoming the first person in American history to ever be...

Polarization’s Benefits Don’t Matter in a Backsliding Democracy

Jun 29, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Some nation-states around the world have gone through intense polarization, democracies included. The United States, because of recent events such as the Capitol Insurrection, is an apt example of...

Ethical Hopes for Ethiopia

Jun 29, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

What could have been a supposed breakthrough of democratic change has led to a more serious threat of backsliding as Ethiopia faces challenges in maintaining their state’s democracy. Although...

Besieged Freedom Activists: Beijing’s Crackdown on Hong Kong Democracy Protests

Jun 29, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

A peaceful Sunday evening is usually spent relaxing before another bustling Monday morning. “K”, however, spent her Sunday evening as a medical volunteer in a tense and chaotic clash between...

Terrorist Candidates Are Eroding Pakistan’s Democracy

Jun 20, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 states that individuals who claim to belong to terrorist groups and create terror in the state must be arrested, detained, and subjected to the death...

Taiwan’s Democracy Is Under Chinese Threat

Jun 17, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

In celebration of Pride Month. This is a crossing in Wanhua District painted with rainbow colors.Photo Taken Here:...

Rwanda’s Constitutional Amendment: Can Democratic Backsliding Bring about Positive Change to Catalyse Democracy in the Long Run?

Jun 15, 2021 | University of Surrey

Democracy has struggled to take hold in Africa, partly due its lack of economic development amongst other factors. The failure of democracy to spur economic development in Africa has opened a...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Donald Trump the Nazi Reincarnate?: Godwin’s Law and How This Phenomenon is Counterproductive to Understanding Democratic Erosion

The Russia-Ukraine War Bodes Poorly for Democracy, But Not in the Way You Think

The Trump Administration’s Attack on USAID

Populism’s Erosion of Israeli Politics: A Müller Analysis of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Impact

The Threat of Extreme Partisanship in the Post-Trump Era: Warnings from the Ouster of Kevin McCarthy

Polarization’s Benefits Don’t Matter in a Backsliding Democracy

Ethical Hopes for Ethiopia

Besieged Freedom Activists: Beijing’s Crackdown on Hong Kong Democracy Protests

Terrorist Candidates Are Eroding Pakistan’s Democracy

Taiwan’s Democracy Is Under Chinese Threat

Rwanda’s Constitutional Amendment: Can Democratic Backsliding Bring about Positive Change to Catalyse Democracy in the Long Run?

From a Covid Crisis to a Vaccine Crisis: The Case in Iran

The Most Fraudulent Election in the History of Uganda

Institutional Responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic in Italy

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