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 blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

History Repeats: Why Strong Global Defense is Key to Preventing Autocracy

A strong and consistent global defense by democratic nations is crucial to preventing the rise of autocratic regimes, as history shows—from the Cold War doctrines to the failed democratization of Afghanistan—that without committed follow-through and structural reform, authoritarian forces will exploit weaknesses and reclaim power.

Women in Political Dynasties: The Illusion of Choice and Democratic Erosion in the Philippines

Political dynasties have long controlled Philippine politics, with powerful families passing down leadership positions across generations. Despite the imposition of term limits discouraging dynastic rule, these families have found their way around the constitutional...

From Stardom to Senate: The Alarming Trend of Celebrity Politics in the Philippines

The intersection of celebrity and politics in the Philippines is nothing new. The phenomenon of celebrity politicians—actors, athletes, and other public figures who go from the big screen or stage to the corridors of power—has become a defining aspect of the country's...

Netanyahu’s Antidemocratic Reforms

Dec 5, 2023 | Northeastern University

Background Info: Israel in its modern state is a parliamentary democratic state that holds free and fair elections with various parties offering its citizens ease in...

Recent Polish Elections signal a shift from populism potentially across Europe back to democracy.

Dec 3, 2023 | Salem State University

On October 15th, 2023, Poland held parliamentary elections. The rightwing populist Law and Justice Party (PiS) won 194 seats (35.38% of the vote), while the Civic Coalition...

Democratic Subversion by the Cotton King of Benin

Mar 9, 2021 | American University

Sub-Saharan Africa is a continent notorious for recalcitrant dictators, authoritarian tendencies, and extensive patron-client networks. However, since the Third Wave of Democratization, the...

The Continuing Threat of Populism to American Democracy

Mar 8, 2021 | Rollins College

Response to: https://democraticeros.wpengine.com/2020/11/18/how-the-trump-base-represents-the-danger-that-populism-continues-to-pose-to-american-democracy/ Only 4 days after Election Day,...

A Response to “The Aftermath of a Populist Leader in a Democracy”

Mar 8, 2021 | Rollins College

This is a blog post in response to the article by Sarah Penkava titled “The Aftermath of a Populist Leader in a Democracy”, published on the 3rd of December, 2020. She discusses the massive impacts...

Why Far Right Propaganda Became a Threat to Democracy

Mar 7, 2021 | Rollins College

Burke is correct in claiming that the issues of far-right political beliefs have been an unfortunate constant in the United States for decades. Donald Trump’s presidency (and the use of the agencies...

Greene Is Too Green and Too Dangerous To Be in Congress

Mar 6, 2021 | American University

A self-involved siding contractor with a passion for CrossFit is not qualified to represent American democracy. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene clearly lacks world knowledge, professionalism,...

#RecuperemosChile: Chile Is Once Again Using Tools of Its Authoritarian Past

Mar 5, 2021 | American University

On February 10th, 2021, amid a worldwide health crisis, Chilean authorities deported 138 migrants back to their countries of origin. The images are haunting: Chilean police officers wearing medical...

How QAnon Propaganda Imperils American Democracy and Killed the GOP

Mar 5, 2021 | American University

The most tumultuous and divisive presidency in modern American history culminated in an insurrection that left global citizens in shock and historians racing to sound the alarms. What happened in...

How the Sandinistas Lost Their Faith

Mar 5, 2021 | American University

Photo by Libertinus Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega has incrementally consolidated power through the FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional), virtually making it his personal party. At...

What the Rise of the NSDAP Can Tell Us About Golden Dawn

Mar 5, 2021 | American University

Photo via Counter Extremism Project Golden Dawn was a political party in Greece that used racism, economic anxiety and fascist propaganda to rise in Greece. The question is, how did Golden Dawn grow...