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.

When Violence Breaks the Surface: The Kirk Incident as a Warning for American Democracy

By Stavros Ligris The shooting of Charlie Kirk during a university event in Utah this September has been described as shocking, tragic, and destabilizing. But it should also be understood as part of a larger pattern of democratic decline in the United States. What...

First 100 Days, More Like First 100 Hours: How Trump’s First 100 Days Played Out Against Trump’s Second 100 Hours

Indiana Senator Jim Banks, a staunch Trump ally, predicted that President Trump’s return to power would be characterized by “shock and awe.” In many ways, the events of President Trump’s first 100 hours in office during his second term have lived up to that promise....

History Repeats: Why Strong Global Defense is Key to Preventing Autocracy

A strong and consistent global defense by democratic nations is crucial to preventing the rise of autocratic regimes, as history shows—from the Cold War doctrines to the failed democratization of Afghanistan—that without committed follow-through and structural reform, authoritarian forces will exploit weaknesses and reclaim power.

Can an Earthquake Threaten the Non-Democratic Reign of Morocco’s King?

Apr 23, 2024 | Ursinus College

The wealthiest man in Morocco has little interest in abdicating his throne. He has barely any interest in spending his time in the land that he rules, either – former...

The Lack of Humanitarian Aid in Haiti

Apr 21, 2024 | Ursinus College

Haiti is currently facing a political and social crisis. The rest of the world has fallen silent in terms of providing necessary aid and military action to help the victims...

Chile’s Constitutional Convention: A Push for Better Democracy, or a Step to Chaotic Decline?

Oct 10, 2021 | University of Georgia

The state of Chile is at a crossroads: one path promising liberal democracy and the other to potential socialism. The choice is up to the Constitutional Convention, an...

New Election Audits Weaken Democracy

Oct 8, 2021 | Salem State University

Efforts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election are still underway, almost a full year after the election. Politicians in Republican states have now taken to subpoenaing voter...

The Erosion of Israel’s Democracy

Sep 30, 2021 | University of Georgia

It would not be considered a surprise to many that the state of Israel, also known as the occupied territories of Palestine, displays several characteristics of a government threatened by factors of...

Orbán and His War Against Academic Freedom

Jul 1, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Academic freedom is a basic concept as well as a guiding principle in higher education. However, democratic governments, such as in Hungary, have taken a number of punitive moves against academics...

Decades of Fragile Democracy: What’s in it for Myanmar?

Jun 30, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

The military coup that occurred in Myanmar last February 1, 2021, sparked new tensions between the pro-democracy protesters and the state’s military regime. It was a resurrection of an Army-state...

The Millennial Dictator: Creeping Autocracy in El Salvador

Jun 29, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Two years after winning the presidential election, Nayib Bukele, the current President of El Salvador became popular in Latin America for being the “Social Media President”. As a typical...

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...