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.

How Data Collection Undermines Democracy

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

When using personal and private data, artificial intelligence can fundamentally discriminate against race, religion, and sex and the lack of data privacy permits therefore...

Mike Lee: Utah’s Own Disloyal Opposition

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

A look into Utah state senator Mike Lee and how his direct involvement with the January 6th insurrection is dangerous to American democracy. You don’t have to be a political...

A Game of Tug of War Over Democracy

Dec 2, 2020 | Brown University

The European Union is failing to maintain democracy in their member states. Not only are they failing to threaten these countries into cooperating, they may also be creating an...

Orban’s COVID Authoritarianism

Dec 2, 2020 | University of Georgia

Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban was given immense power to rule by decree during the initial outbreak of COVID-19, and while the power to rule by decree has been repealed, Orban still retains...

Colombia: A Repressive State in the making

Dec 2, 2020 | Brown University

Former President and current Colombian Senator, Alvaro Uribe, was revered by the Bush administration as he cooperated with the US in its demands of fighting guerilla movements in the country and...

Abiy Ahmed: Yet Another Nobel Peace Prize Winner Falls from Grace

Dec 2, 2020 | Brown University

A Nobel Peace Prize cannot be revoked; however, The Norwegian Nobel committee should add a measure to it's statute to allow for the removal of this ultimate prize from its fallen angels, namely...

The Rise (and Fall) of the AfD: Germany’s Identity Crisis

Dec 2, 2020 | Brown University

Since World War II, defining what it means to be German has been a taboo subject. Celebrating national identity is seen by many Germans as a step towards the type of nationalism that led to the rise...

Social Media Spreading Misinformation and Disinformation in American Society

Dec 2, 2020 | University of Georgia

As the technological 21st century continues to advance, social media platforms become more numerous and more influential in American society. Though the Constitution grants freedom of the press, the...

Viktor Orbán’s Emergency Powers Push Hungary Further Towards Autocracy

Dec 2, 2020 | University of Georgia

A lurking dictator in the making, Viktor Orbán and his right-wing nationalist Fidesz party are dismantling Hungarian democracy. Through the obstruction of checks and balances, election interference,...

Misdiagnosed: Why We Can’t Blame COVID-19 for Autocratic Consolidation

Dec 2, 2020 | Brown University

Many news outlets and humanitarian organizations have reported that the COVID-19 pandemic is presenting new and unparalleled levels of decline in freedom in countries around the world. Freedom House...

Democracy or Oligarchy?

Dec 2, 2020 | Brown University

As the election results in favor of Joe Biden are becoming officially certified, and the courts are consistently denying credence to Trump’s frivolous claims of election fraud, many Americans...