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...

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...

The Privatization of Democracy

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Amidst rising nationalism, increased corporate influence, and would be authoritarians, can American democracy find its place in a rapidly changing world? For many, former President Donald Trump has...

How COVID-19 Became One of the Biggest Threat to American Democracy in the 21st Century

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

A dire future for democracy lurks when the country’s institutions fail to properly function amid global crisis, especially if it threatens the very basic rights that the people have flourished under...

Political Participation in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Government: The Importance of Active Political Culture in a Young Democracy

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was elected to lead Ethiopia in 2018, overwhelming hope was felt for the first time by his electorate. Ethnic tensions between the Amhara and Oromo groups were...

The Race to Fill the SCOTUS Shows the Decline of Democratic Norms

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

In 2020, Republicans in the United States Senate rushed to appoint Amy Coney Barrett to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court. Although the next election would occur in a little over...

Cuba’s Mass Trials: Increasing the Cost of Dissent

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Democracy is meant to be a direct reflection of the will of the people. Though this will is hard to define, “the people” are often able to communicate their will through protest. Protest serves as a...

Republicans Are Succeeding at Their Long-Term Strategy

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

Over the past 6 years, the Republican Party has been successful in convincing the American people that they are the true defenders of democracy. The political party has increasingly played off of...

Will Brazilian Democracy Survive the 2022 Election Cycle?

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

In August of 2016, Brazil’s Senate successfully impeached President Dilma Rousseff based on charges of corruption. This was an impressive effort; however, does this mean that Brazil’s safeguards for...

What Is to Blame for the World’s Democratic Backsliding?

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

There have been several ebbs and flows in the amount of democratic nations in the past few centuries, and many of which are the results of world events and other far-reaching moments in history. As...

States’ Dismantling of The VRA of 1965: What It Means For The Future Of American Democracy

Feb 16, 2022 | Boston University

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is arguably one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by Congress and signed into law during the twentieth century. The act is an essential part of...