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.

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,...

Undermining the Feedback Loop: How Trump’s Educational Policies Hinder Democratic Accountability

In a larger trend of censoring opinions which the Trump administration views as undesirable, the Trump administration’s actions towards schools and universities has a negative impact on democracy as a whole. Such a system depends on the free transmission of...

Democracy Six Feet Under: How Disinformation is Burying Philippine Democracy Alive

Philippine democracy is in great danger once again now that the two families who benefited the most from disinformation – the Marcoses and Dutertes, are in power and have turned against one another. As both camps sling disinformation against each other, the...

A Win for Democracy in Poland: How the Opposition Overcame the Authoritarian PiS Party in October Elections

Nov 21, 2023 | Northeastern University

In their past eight years of control, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has eroded judicial and constitution checks and balances while centralizing media ownership....

The Danger of Political Disinformation Within the United States

Nov 21, 2023 | University of Memphis

Political Disinformation is one of the greatest threats facing the United States today. It not only...

Why Did Vizcarra Vanish? The “Legislative Coup” in Peru

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

We’ve all experienced the agonizingly slow process of democratic bureaucracy; we lament the lines, the paperwork, and the drudgery that is required to get anything done. But every now and then, a...

Ethnic Nationalism and Democratic Erosion in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

In 1995, the Dayton Agreement ended the Bosnian War, establishing modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, a state explicitly structured by ethnic group. 25 years later, a strained peace persists, but...

Dynasty Politics in Democracy: Kenyattas, Odingas, and Democratic Erosion in Kenya

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

A key component of democratic politics is the ability for a singular person to convince others they can speak for the populace. However, there are moments when this relationship inverts and the...

The Rise of the Sweden Democrats: Democratic Erosion and Support for the Far-Right in Sweden

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

Sweden is commonly touted as one of the strongest democracies in the world; in Freedom House’s democratic assessment, they boast a 100 out of 100 score in a holistic assessment of democracy through...

Democracy vs. Disease: Rwanda’s Effective Response to COVID-19

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

Above the streets of Rwanda’s capital Kigali, police drones blare reminders to socially distance and wear masks. At intersections, citizens are randomly tested and placed into a government-run...

How Asymmetric Polarization in the Media Ecosystem Drives Democratic Erosion

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

A grandfather, estranged from his family and relatives, unable to visit his grandchildren because their parents worry about his growing vitriol. A daughter who rarely visits home any longer, save...

Social Media and Mass Mobilization in Algeria

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

In February 2019, Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika declared his intention to run for a fifth term. This message was released through state media as Bouteflika could no longer make public...

What Makes Canadian Democracy So Resilient?

Dec 9, 2020 | Williams College

For some Americans, Canada appears to be a liberal—albeit slightly cold—utopia. While at the national level U.S. politics has fallen into dysfunction at best and downright authoritarianism at worst,...

Future of the Republic of China

Dec 9, 2020 | Suffolk University

The sign slogan reads "Three Principles of the People Will Unite China" and is located on Dadan Island, facing towards Mainland China. On the 10th of October, 2020, the Republic of China, commonly...