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.

Donald Trump the Nazi Reincarnate?: Godwin’s Law and How This Phenomenon is Counterproductive to Understanding Democratic Erosion

What do we hope to accomplish when comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, a tyrannical perpetrator of genocide?

The Russia-Ukraine War Bodes Poorly for Democracy, But Not in the Way You Think

The Russia-Ukraine War is a serious threat to global democracy through the growing wave of isolationism in the United States, an entity that has typically been at the forefront of fighting authoritarianism across the world.

The Trump Administration’s Attack on USAID

The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID, increase concerns about democratic backsliding as it could result in a trend with the executive undermining institutional legitimacy.

Is Israel proficient at the breach of democratic values?

Oct 5, 2023 | School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

Photo source by : Spyware & Democratic Values Is the absence of international laws an excuse for the violation of Israel the breach of democratic principles globally?...

Timor-Leste’s Firm Stance on Myanmar Driven by Values

Oct 5, 2023 | School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

Photo 1: Source by Myanmar's military placed heavy restrictions on the internet ahead of the protests (BBC News) Timor-Leste's Support for Fairness and Human Rights in...

#EndSARS Resistance and Nigeria’s Reluctance

Dec 14, 2020 | Georgia State University

Bridled with unemployment, inflation and corruption, Nigeria is presently one of the world’s most impoverished countries. It is further plagued with insecurity in the forms of terrorism, kidnapping,...

COVID in Belarus: How Inaction Brought Opposition

Dec 14, 2020 | Georgia State University

Drink vodka and visit the sauna -- that’s what Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recommended for those who have contracted coronavirus. With an economic crisis already pending leading up to...

“Sovereign Internet” Risks Internet Freedom in Russia and Globally

Dec 14, 2020 | James Madison University

Can Vladimir Putin revolutionize the way autocrats censor the internet? It is no secret that the press and journalists have experienced ever-increasing challenges in Russia since President Vladimir...

Coronavouchers: Bolsonaro’s Foray into Social Welfare Programs

Dec 14, 2020 | Brown University

Brazil has been one of the hardest-hit countries this year by the global coronavirus pandemic with a death toll of 176,628 (December 2020) and more fatalities per capita than nearly any other...

What is the Future of the Republican Party?

Dec 14, 2020 | Georgia State University

For the past five years, Donald Trump has dominated the Republican party, and even after his loss in November to President-elect Biden, he continues to set the agenda for the party that every other...

Democratic Erosion Disguised as COVID-19 Measures in Turkey

Dec 13, 2020 | Sabanci University

Turkey is apparently a country with declining democratic performance. The elections, the consolidation of unchecked power in the hands of President Erdogan, widespread corruption among the political...

President Macron’s Tendency to Implement an Authoritarian Political Agenda

Dec 13, 2020 | Sabanci University

French street movements occupy the international media since Yellow vests Movements began in 2018. As already known, the movements began over a public discontentment derived from general economic...

Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel for Turkey?

Dec 13, 2020 | Sabanci University

Turkey has long been dealing with populism, presenting itself as a perfect case study where scholars can work on how populism and democratic backsliding can go hand in hand. President Erdoğan’s...

Autumn Winds of the Hungarian Democracy

Dec 13, 2020 | Sabanci University

Eurus, God of the East Wind and Autumn Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary In many parts of the world, rivers of humanity are drying, fruits of globalization perishing, and dictators coming down...