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.

When Violence Breaks the Surface: The Kirk Incident as a Warning for American Democracy

By Stavros Ligris The shooting of Charlie Kirk during a university event in Utah this September has been described as shocking, tragic, and destabilizing. But it should also be understood as part of a larger pattern of democratic decline in the United States. What...

First 100 Days, More Like First 100 Hours: How Trump’s First 100 Days Played Out Against Trump’s Second 100 Hours

Indiana Senator Jim Banks, a staunch Trump ally, predicted that President Trump’s return to power would be characterized by “shock and awe.” In many ways, the events of President Trump’s first 100 hours in office during his second term have lived up to that promise....

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.

What the Exodus of Election Officials Means for Democratic Erosion

Oct 22, 2023 | University of Pennsylvania

Amid growing violent threats and increasing administrative burdens, a surge in resignations among local election officials signals trouble for U.S. democracy. In the...

Populism’s Erosion of Israeli Politics: A Müller Analysis of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Impact

Oct 18, 2023 | Boston University

In his book "What is Populism," Jan-Werner Müller presents a nuanced definition of populism that emphasizes its anti-pluralist, exclusionary nature and appeal to the chosen...

Takes Two to Tango: How the Democratic Elites Have Fueled Trump’s Fire

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

The 25th amendment, allows for a sitting President’s powers to be suspended if they become unfit for office. Section 4, which can suspend Presidential power without the sitting President’s consent,...

An Attack on Democracy in the Name of Bipartisanship

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

It is clear that increasing partisanship correlates with democratic erosion. Matthew Graham and Milan Svolik, in a candidate-choice experiment, found that US voters who identified with a certain...

Covert Erosion in the Czech Republic

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

Andrej Babiš outwardly does not appear to have the firmest grasp on power in the Czech Republic. The embattled billionaire Prime Minister has faced potential votes of no confidence, an investigation...

The Fight for Democracy in Belarus

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

On August 9, 2020, Belarus held its presidential election. This is the first time in many decades where the current president, Alexander Lukashenko, has been seriously challenged by an opposition...

Icarus from Ipanema: The Fatal Mistake of the Brazilian Left

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

Allying an anti-corruption and anti-communism discourse with a vague desire for change, Jair Messias Bolsonaro won the turbulent 2018 Brazilian presidential election, surpassing movements like...

A Greene-er Democracy

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

Amongst the constant chaos that has been this year’s election cycle, it’s easy to miss Marjorie Taylor Greene’s primary win. This past August, Greene beat her Republican primary opponent by 15...

“We Have Had Enough, We Do Not Want to Be Like You”

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

Last Wednesday Spain reached 1 million Covid-19 cases and the numbers are steadily rising. With official government sources admitting that the real data might be even higher -around 3.5 million...

Executive Aggrandizement in the Time of COVID-19

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

Since the start of 2020, the COVID-19 virus has rapidly enveloped the world, creating crises across nations. For many governments, crises offer the perfect environment for aspiring autocrats to...

Revolutions in Belarus: A New Strategy for Fighting New Authoritarians?

Oct 23, 2020 | University of Chicago

On August 8, 2020, Belarusians flocked to the polls to vote in their most contested presidential election since 1994. Going into the election, the incumbent, Alexander Lukashenka received a torrent...