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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Food Security is Rooted Abroad

Global fertilizer supply chains connect geopolitical events abroad to food production at home in ways most consumers don’t see.

The Meaning of Silence : What the moment of silence for Melissa Hortman says about American democracy

On June 14, 2025, the lives of Melissa Hortman who was a House speaker in Minnesota and her husband Mark were taken in what authorities believe to be a politically motivated act of violence. The same day Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and...

Buying Injustice: The Hidden Harms of this Act.

Are we looking to create a thriving society, or are we allowing fear into the lives of immigrant families? As new immigration policies appear, the question become, how do we prevent the changes that involve separating families and dismantling the place that...

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

Sep 11, 2025 | Boston University

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...

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

Jun 16, 2025 | The University of Alabama

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...

Why Democracy Supporters Should Be Concerned with the Alabama Redistricting Decision

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

On February 7, 2022, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that a potentially illegal congressional map of Alabama may be used in the upcoming 2022 election. Critics of this decision point out...

Problems Are Better Seen from the Outside: Three Reasons Why it Is Unfair to Blame Populations for Unintentionally Supporting Would-Be Autocrats

Feb 26, 2022 | University of Chicago

It is common for people to look at the destruction of foreign nations’ democratic institutions with confusion. They wonder how anyone could sit back and allow their government to be destroyed, or...

Gerrymandering in the United States 2020 Redistricting Cycle

Feb 25, 2022 | University of Chicago

History of Gerrymandering in the United States The term gerrymandering was first coined in 1812 by the Boston Gazette. The term was created in reference to how certain districts in the Massachusetts...

Ortega’s Hold on Legislative and Judicial Branches Catastrophic for Civil Liberties

Feb 25, 2022 | University of Chicago

Wether in the streets or at the ballot box, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has once again demonstrated his reach into the judicial and legislative branches of the country, and his use of them to...

Bhutan and the Roads to Its Democratic Downfall

Feb 25, 2022 | University of Chicago

Bhutan is a mystery to many, a small south Asian country tucked between China and India, with a democratic system that is strong and showing few symptoms of erosion. This being said, there have been...

What the Invasion of Ukraine Means for Internet Freedom in Russia

Feb 25, 2022 | University of Chicago

Almost exactly eight years ago to this day, Russia invaded and later annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, shortly after the Sochi Winter Olympics. Now Vladimir Putin has green-lit the...

Putin’s Authoritarianism Influencing a Potential Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2022 | Boston University

In the 20th century Russia began to adopt more democratic tendencies following the corruption of the Soviet Union, but in the 21st century Russia’s actions have sparked growing concern for a...

The Fight for the Soul of the Republican Party Just Suffered Another Loss

Feb 25, 2022 | University of Chicago

In not-so-surprising turn of events, on February 4th, the Republican National Committee (RNC) voted to censure Representatives Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) for their role in...

Vigilante Litigation: How Greg Abbott’s Texas Legislation is Contributing to Democratic Backsliding

Feb 25, 2022 | University of Chicago

Greg Abbott’s run as Governor of Texas has been explosive and controversial, but as the controversies continue, it becomes clear that his time in office has also become a risk to democracy. This...