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.

Challenging Erdoğan’s Autocracy: Resistance to Democratic Erosion in Türkiye

Resistance to the Erdoğan regime in Türkiye has maintained a presence in local and national government, found multigenerational support in academia, and been energized by young Turks looking for a more democratic future for their home.

Elimination of Accountability in Nicaragua under the Ortega regime

Nicaragua under Daniel Ortega has seen its presidential republic downgraded from a competitive democracy to an authoritarian regime, where the government has been more focused on the suppression of its opposition rather than improving the overall quality of life for...

Democratic Erosion in Chile (1963-1975)

Chile between the period of 1964 and 1975 represents a great example of how democracy can be eroded through both internal failure, but mainly through the planned efforts of global superpowers. This blog argues that democratic erosion and the eventual collapse in Chile...

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

May 15, 2025 | James Madison University

Many countries around the world require their citizens to serve in their national forces for a certain amount of time. The country of Eritrea also requires national service,...

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

May 15, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman, Featured

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...

To Nominate or Not to Nominate: The Challenge with Gatekeeping Donald Trump

Feb 28, 2022 | University of Chicago

It is uncommon for defeated presidential candidates to run again. But, then again, Donald Trump has never been one to follow precedent. On Saturday night, the former president hinted at...

Private Government: How Workplace Democracy Can Save American Democracy

Feb 27, 2022 | University of Chicago

In a world increasingly dominated by work, many politicians, activists, and theorists have argued for the application of democratic ideals to a new scope—the workplace. Political democracy in the...

How Donald Trump Used Populist Rhetoric to Justify Anti-Democratic Stances and Actions Related to Immigration

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

Throughout his four years in office, President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on immigration was unparalleled. Trump’s willingness to brazenly insult immigrants and ethnic minorities directly played into...

Constitutional Amendment: A Direct Route to Indefinite Power

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

Once again Daniel Ortega was sworn in as President of Nicaragua for a fourth consecutive term as of January 10th, 2022. This alarming reelection has generated widespread media outrage on both...

Soft Social Credit

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

The arrival and integration of technology into political life seem to herald a great advance for the democratization of regions once thought perpetually locked in authoritarian systems, whether...

Is Populism on Its Way Out of Europe?

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

Emerging evidence shows that populist support in Europe may be waning. A YouGov survey found that fewer people agree with targeted statements meant to measure populist beliefs [1]. Populism,...

Trudeau’s Shutdown of the Trucker Protests Protected Democracy

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

Recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers in Canada in order to shut down protests. The protests were started by a group of truckers who were against the cross-border vaccine...

The Global Echo of Viktor Orbán’s Populist Cries

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

On January 3, former U.S. president Donald Trump offered, via his Save America political action committee, an endorsement of Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán ahead of the 2022 parliamentary...

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...