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.
How tolerating and encouraging violence fuels democratic backsliding in Georgia
During the past demonstrations, the ruling party of Georgia – Georgian Dream – made violence their primary weapon in overcoming protest. This blog emphasizes how violence used by the state implies democratic backsliding in light of the theoretical framework by Levistsky and Ziblatt.
Repression on Repeat: From Kyiv to Minsk to Tbilisi
The People, the Fear, and the Exhaustion Machine: How Populist Elites in Georgia and Serbia Rule by Chaos
In Georgia and Serbia, populist elites shout about protecting “the People” from endless imaginary threats, masterfully staging a political circus of fear and chaos to secure their grip on power. Whether through Georgia’s slow, insidious erosion of democracy or Serbia’s dizzying whirlwind of perpetual crises, their endgame is the same: exhaust the public into apathy, ensuring the ruling elite stays comfortably unchallenged.
Authoritarian Reinforcement: Another 5 Years in Belarus
Feb 12, 2025 | Boston University
On January 26th, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus announced that President Alexander Lukashenko had secured a seventh term in office, extending his...
The Rise of Right-Wing Populism in Former Satellite States
Feb 12, 2025 | Boston University
Former Soviet satellite states that were once poster children for democratization following the decline of European communism have been making drastic pivots towards...
UniTeam Division: Marcos-Duterte Fallout and Its Democratic Ramifications
Jun 20, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
"Uniteam has formally been dissolved and she has just become the leader of the opposition… Harry Roque, former spokesperson for Rodrigo Duterte, on Sara’s resignation from Marcos Cabinet. Rifts in...
Navigating The Polarization of Female Political Representation in the Philippines
Jun 18, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
Unequal gender representation has always been apparent in Philippine politics. Being predominantly Catholic, the Philippine electorate has historically sided with conservative...
Election Denialism: A Comparison of American and Brazilian Tendencies in Public Trust Scandals, Misinformation, and Political Violence
Jun 5, 2024 | Arizona State University
American and Brazilian politics are intimately interconnected, and as a result have comparably similar social trends with misinformation, public trust, and violent tendencies. Following the 2020...
UniTeam Alliance Break-Up: Political Rifts between Marcos and Duterte
Jun 2, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
In the Philippines, the late 2010s and early 2020s is a pivotal stage, to say the least, in terms of political mobility, activism, and administrative competencies. The Rodrigo Duterte administration...
Supporters of Philippine Opposition Leader Leni Robredo Greatly Contributed to Polarization. Here’s How
May 27, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
Leni Robredo is a Filipino lawyer who became vice president in 2016. She became known as an opposition leader, unafraid to raise criticisms of the Duterte administration. In 2021, Robredo declared...
Democracy in Peril: The Menace of Fake News and Propaganda of the Marcoses on Social Media in the Philippines
May 27, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
After the People Power Revolution ousted Ferdinand Marcos, the Filipinos vowed that neither the Marcoses nor the tyranny of martial law would ever return to Malacañang Palace. About forty decades...
Authoritarian Digitalization in the Philippines: How the Dutertes Controlled the Filipino Citizenry through Social Media
May 27, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
The authoritarian landscape is changing, yet the strategies and objectives remain the same in some aspects. Some weak democracies are exhibiting patterns of resurgent or perpetuating democratic...
Philippine Politicians Protect Fugitive Pastor
May 27, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
Four Filipino senators have signed a written objection against the fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The said pastor is under investigation and wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on...
Boon and Bane at Once to PH Democracy: The Catholic Church as a Two-Edged Sword
May 25, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman
Despite being known for its role in restoring democracy and its efforts to sustain it, the Catholic Church in the Philippines is regarded by progressives as an obstacle to the country's further...