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.

Authoritarianism in Singapore: Challenging Narratives of a Benevolent British Empire

British imperialism is often credited with spreading democracy, but Singapore’s colonial past shows how it can also lay the groundwork for enduring authoritarianism.

You Can’t Sit with Us: The Practice of Democratic Gatekeeping and How It Has Saved Democracies

At the 11th hour of the 2024 election many Republican politicians and members of congress took a stance against Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Through the “Republicans for Harris” tagline, they urged their supporters through various forms of appeals to vote...

The Erosion of an Already Weak Democracy: The Rise and Fall of Jovenel Moïse

Jovenel Moïse's presidency marked a dangerous shift from Haiti's already shaky democracy to overt authoritarianism. Delayed elections, unchecked abuse of executive power, and violent suppression of resistance became the norm. By the time of his assassination in 2021,...

Will Slovakia follow Hungary’s path?

Jan 7, 2024 | Sabanci University

In recent years, the Slovak political situation has been characterized by instability, polarization, corruption, and a resurgence of populist forces. The political...

Similar ways of Autocratization by Erdogan and Orban

Jan 7, 2024 | Sabanci University

Both leaders have faced criticism for actions that limit the indolence of the media, thereby constraining the free flow of salt information. Orban’s government has been...

Democratic Erosion: United States

Apr 29, 2021 | Georgia State University

What happens when citizens suddenly feel they have lost their rights and their voices are not being heard? The minute the government does not take any accountability for plummeting democratic...

Democratic Erosion: Kenya

Apr 29, 2021 | Georgia State University

Kenya, a colony occupied by the United Kingdom originating in 1895, was first colonized during the Scramble to Africa. At this time, European countries, predominantly Belgium, Italy, Portugal,...

Mocha and Jam

Apr 28, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

On the Pathos of Colloquial Language and the Illusion of Ethos In 2017, a University of Oxford study reported that President Rodrigo Duterte’s camp during the 2016 election spent $200,000 for paid...

Philippine Democracy at Stake in the 2022 Elections

Apr 28, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

With only one more year to go, Duterte and his tyranny will finally end. This leaves the country’s democracy in a precarious position in the next 2022 elections. Will the country vote to regain...

Democracy Erodes by Desecrating the Constitution

Apr 28, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Beginning the 1970s, the Philippines has endured Constitutional violations committed by no less than the government. To go around the 1935 Constitution’s ban on a third consecutive term, President...

Collecting Debts and Votes: Duterte Administration’s COVID-19 Budget Politics

Apr 27, 2021 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Instead of the usual keys and box containing small change from the previous trip or pasada, Daniel donned his face mask, grabbed a cardboard sign, and gripped an empty plastic container. His route...

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...