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,...

Legitimating Authority Through Elections: Orbán’s Hungary

Jan 3, 2024 | Sabanci University

Hungary, a country which transitioned to democracy fairly peacefully after years of Soviet pressure and communist rule, now struggles with authoritarianism and its effects....

From Populism to Restoration: Ecuador’s Political (R)evolution

Jan 2, 2024 | University of Pennsylvania

In recent years, Ecuador has witnessed a complex interplay between democracy and the rise of populism, a phenomenon that has captured the attention of political analysts and...

Increasing “Voter Security” Increases Impediments to Voting in the United States

Apr 19, 2021 | Boston University

The 2020 Presidential Election represents a new era in the breakdown of American Democracy. Although Joe Biden won the presidency, in many states he won by a rather slim margin contrary to what many...

Brazil’s Democracy Contracts a COVID-19 Fever

Apr 19, 2021 | American University

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic cost him popular support. Now he feverishly lays the groundwork for a military coup in the event he loses the upcoming...

European Broadcasters Under Threat by Populism

Apr 19, 2021 | Rollins College

Independent, public broadcasters are important in democracies because they are meant to provide unbiased information to the public and to keep the government in check. When Slovenia gave Radio...

Earthquakes Are Not the Only Reason Haiti Is in Shambles

Apr 16, 2021 | Ursinus College

The first Caribbean nation to earn independence is now struggling to preserve democracy. While the opposition screams for change, the president demands a longer term. During his five-year...

January 6th Insurrection at the United States’ Capitol

Apr 16, 2021 | Ursinus College

On January 6th, 2021, the United States was subject to a betrayal of its democracy in a display of violent protest against the free and fair election of the 46th President of the United States....

Tanzania’s Uneven Democratic Playing Field

Apr 16, 2021 | American University

Before the death of President John Magufuli, Tanzania was transitioning into an autocratic state, hitting every hallmark for an uneven democratic playing field. Using both traditional and stealth...

Democracy: COVID’s Latest Victim

Apr 15, 2021 | American University

Never in history has there been such a widespread restriction on movement. Around the globe, countries rushed to enact emergency restrictions to protect their citizens from the novel coronavirus....

President al-Sisi vs. The People

Apr 14, 2021 | Georgia State University

The violation of human rights is a tough price to pay to bring stability to a country, at least in the eyes of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. al-Sisi has been in office since 2014, after...

Populists Politicizing the Personal and Deepening Democratic Erosion: Abortion Law in Poland

Apr 13, 2021 | University of Denver

On Thursday, October 22nd, 2020, the Supreme Court of Poland ruled that abortions due to fetal defects or lethal fetal diagnoses are unconstitutional, and that, The woman’s comfort is not a reason...