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.

Constitutional Rights in a State of Emergency: The Case of Vietnam

Dec 18, 2022 | Boston University

In March 2020, COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic; as the medical community worked to find a vaccine, the information world was rampant with misinformation. The...

The Hostess with the Mostest

Dec 18, 2022 | Skidmore College

Qatar has been ruled by a single family known as the Al Thani since 1847. Although the Al-Thani have always controlled Qatar they have gone through phases of colonization by...

Anti-Government Protest in Prague

May 27, 2020 | Koç University

June 23, 2019, was an important day for the Czech Republic. On this date, one of the biggest protests of the Republic's history is formed (after the Velvet Revolution in 1989). More than 250.000...

Guatemala

May 27, 2020 | Koç University

Imprisoned in the squalid barracks of a military base, leaders of the once untouchable Guatemalan elite are planning their return to power. Previous presidents and ministers, senators, judges, and...

Refugee Crisis in Greek Island Lesbos

May 27, 2020 | Koç University

As Turkish government recently opened its western borders to the European Union for the refugees and migrants, Greece keeps its borders closed shut, putting aside the asylum system, claiming to...

Politically Overlooked: LGBT People in India

May 26, 2020 | Koç University

Despite its decreasing overall democracy scores, India has progressed forward with LGBT rights on the last decade. Still, LGBT activists and international organisations are not satisfied with the...

Violent Protests in Haiti: Social Reflection of Democracy Under Threat

May 24, 2020 | Koç University

There have been continuing social unrest in Haiti since mid-2019. Even though protests have variety of reasons, what is common among all is the discontent with President Jovenel Moise. The intense...

Italy, the Pandemic and the European Response: A Warning to Liberal Democracy

May 23, 2020 | Koç University

The coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the globe, has affected many countries, but there are not many of them as affected as Italy has been. To this date (23.05.2020) Italy has seen over 225,000...

Violent Democracy: A Grave Threat for Democracy in Ghana- the Success Story of Democratization in Africa

May 22, 2020 | Koç University

Ghana is considered to be one of the successful democracies of Africa. There have been seven consecutive elections without any substantial political violence and three peaceful transition of power...

Another Chance for Slovakia to Avoid Corruption

May 19, 2020 | Koç University

Image retrieved from https://www.ntv.com.tr/galeri/yasam/ulkelere-gore-maske-gorunumleri,vSK_G2EGakuSNoH9rauA7w Slovakia is facing the issues of corruption until 2018. On 15th of November 2018,...

Rise in Religious Conservatism Drives Polarization in Indonesia

May 15, 2020 | Georgia State University

Islam has always played a pivotal role in Indonesia’s culture, history, and politics. Home to the largest population of Muslims within the world, it is no surprise to see the religion’s imprints...