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.

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.

Women in Political Dynasties: The Illusion of Choice and Democratic Erosion in the Philippines

Political dynasties have long controlled Philippine politics, with powerful families passing down leadership positions across generations. Despite the imposition of term limits discouraging dynastic rule, these families have found their way around the constitutional...

From Stardom to Senate: The Alarming Trend of Celebrity Politics in the Philippines

The intersection of celebrity and politics in the Philippines is nothing new. The phenomenon of celebrity politicians—actors, athletes, and other public figures who go from the big screen or stage to the corridors of power—has become a defining aspect of the country's...

The Delegitimization of American Political Institutions

Oct 15, 2023 | Boston University

Until fairly recently, Americans tended to view their own constitutional democracy as their greatest source of joy as citizens. We saw ourselves as a shining beacon of...

The supreme immunity: Could it be a stealth authoritarianism?

Oct 15, 2023 | School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

An example from Indonesia’s new Article of libel and defamation In the essence of practicing democracy, a fundamental understanding is that it provides a safe space for both...

Germany: Does Political Extremism Hurt Its Democracy?

Oct 16, 2020 | University of Georgia

According to The Democracy Index is an index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Germany qualifies as a country with full democracy, which means that “civil liberties and fundamental...

Jo Jorgensen and Howie Hawkins: Why You Should Think About Voting for 2020’s Third Party Candidates

Oct 16, 2020 | University of Georgia

Only one U.S. president has won his election without being aligned with one of the two major political parties. His name was George Washington. All presidents after him, whether they were...

Development & Democracy: Sub-Saharan Africa Handicapped by Colonialism?

Oct 16, 2020 | Brown University

When you search up “Africa” and “democracy in a web browser, you see headlines like “Fight for Democracy”, “Safeguarding Democracy”, and “Threats to Democratic Transition”; these headlines signal...

Will Trump Peacefully Step Down if He Loses the 2020 Election?

Oct 15, 2020 | University of Georgia

While there have been highly contentious U.S. presidential elections in the past, there has never been reason to question if the presidential incumbent would step down in the face of a loss....

Kashmiri Lives as a Force of Indian Democratic Erosion

Oct 15, 2020 | University of Georgia

On the night of September 24th, Kashmiri lawyer and activist, Babar Qadri, was shot dead in his home by two gunmen posing as potential clients. Qadri had been a controversial figure in India and...

The Corporate Threat: Can We Really Expect the Fox To Leave the Henhouse?

Oct 15, 2020 | Northeastern University

As the United States presidential elections draw closer, indicators that the incumbent will not accept the election results rise. American democracy relies upon free and fair elections, but for...

The United States Feels Ominously Like Chavez’s Venezuela, Just Weeks From Its Presidential Election

Oct 15, 2020 | Northeastern University

With the United States approaching its most contentious election yet, the atmosphere feels like a Latin American déjà vu… As President Hugo Chavez threatened his opponents on live television the...

The August 2020 Coup in Mali: Extending Theories of Democratic Erosion to Low-Income Countries

Oct 15, 2020 | Brown University

On August 18, 2020, mutinous soldiers seized power from the Malian president. Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK) appeared on TV asking, “Do I really have a choice?” shortly before dissolving the...

Voter Suppression in the United States

Oct 15, 2020 | Northeastern University

The principle of “one man, one vote” is under threat in America. The idea that everyone is able to vote in a free and fair election is a core democratic value critical to uphold. Unfortunately,...