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.

Is Guatemala’s Democratic Backsliding Reaching a Tipping Point?

Oct 16, 2023 | Boston University

There is great fear that Guatemala’s democracy is weakening beyond the point of return. Amid election fraud, Guatemala has turned into a country of chaos. The protests are...

The Current Rise of Populism: Weaponizing Elections

Oct 16, 2023 | Boston University

Who does one think of when talking about populism and authoritarianism? The common names that come to mind are those of Hitler, Hugo Chavez, Juan Perón, Alberto Fujimori,...

Italian Populism: Shut Them Out or Address Their Concerns?

Apr 26, 2021 | Arizona State University

Italian populism has hit a temporary roadblock with the Movimento 5 Stelle (Five Star Movement M5S) changing their populist tone due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, with Salvini’s party the Lega...

Abrupt Decay: How Egypt’s Democratic Experiment Failed Too Soon for Us To See

Apr 26, 2021 | American University

Democracy in Egypt lasted less than two years between 2011 and 2013. How do new governments fail so quickly? And is democracy gone for good in Egypt? For those watching the Arab Spring unfold, we...

Democracy in America Is Not Suddenly Safe Again

Apr 23, 2021 | Boston University

Since President Joe Biden’s Inauguration in January, many have speculated about the American ‘return to normalcy’ where his administration will aim to reverse many of the policies of former...

The Great Gatekeeping Dilemma: When Efforts to Save Democracy, Subvert Democracy

Apr 22, 2021 | Boston University

After only one month in office, Marjorie Taylor Greene inflamed tensions between Republicans and Democrats. Greene is a new Republican to the House of Representatives, elected in 2020 to represent...

Greed and Greenbacks: How the Ostentatiously Rich Puppeteer American Democracy

Apr 21, 2021 | Rollins College

According to an article published by the New York Times, a dozen megadonors and their spouses contributed a combined $3.4 billion to federal candidates and political groups. This means that 12...

A Response to Danae Gaytan’s Article “Increasing ‘Voter Security’ Increases Impediments to Voting in the United States”

Apr 21, 2021 | Rollins College

Danae Gaytan recently wrote an article discussing the agenda that the republican party has to increase impediments to voting. After a contentious 2020 election and an eventual Joe Biden victory, the...

Niger: Democratizing from Blatant to Stealth Authoritarianism

Apr 21, 2021 | Arizona State University

Niger’s recent 2020 elections has been labeled an important period of democratization: securing its first transition of power between democratically elected leaders (Balima, 2021). This transition...

Democratic Erosion and the Case of Ethiopia

Apr 21, 2021 | Georgia State University, Uncategorized

Ethiopia, a country located in the Horn of Africa, has garnered much attention due to its strategic position, its large population, and its role as a security provider within the region. When Abiy...

The 2022 Election Results Will Be a Referendum on American Democracy

Apr 21, 2021 | Boston University

On January 6th, 2021, Democrats won control of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, all while the Capital Building was laid under siege. Those who took part in the insurrection...