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.

Why Peaceful Protesting Won’t Save American Democracy Anytime Soon

On March 28, 2026, hundreds of thousands of Americans took to the streets under the “No Kings” banner in protest of the current Trump Administration. The crowds were incredibly peaceful, and the energy and passion brought from the protestors were incredibly inspiring...

Italy’s Nationalism: A History of Italian Populism

The rise of populism is not a new topic. Across the world, populist leaders are being elected as right-wing parties are taking control in some of the most powerful countries in the world: United States of America, Germany, France, Netherlands, Argentina, among others....

Disabling the Judiciary: How Tension Between Israel’s Judiciary and Governing Coalition Threatens Democracy

As of today, dozens of federal judicial positions in Israel, including 4 Supreme Court positions, remain vacant. This comes as a result of Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s continued refusal to convene the Judicial Selection Committee, heavily impairing the functionality...

All Eyes On You: Democratic Backsliding & Digital Surveillance by I.C.E in the U.S

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

BackgroundDemocratic backsliding is often portrayed as being the result of solely or primarily an executive using their executive power and influence to consolidate power...

How January 6th Emphasized the Importance of Strong Democratic Institutions

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University, Uncategorized

The certification of President Biden’s electoral victory in 2021 stands as one of the most politically contentious moments in US history. Notably, on January 6th, 2021, a...

Polarization or Resilience? Interpreting Taiwan’s 2025 Recall Movement

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Taiwan’s 2025 “Great Recall” campaign marked an unprecedented moment in the island’s democratic history. On July 26, voters were asked whether to recall 24 of 113 legislators—21% of the...

How Algorithms Are Reshaping Political Reality

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Democracy is often judged by whether a country holds elections, maintains courts, and allows political competition and debate. Yet in many modern political systems, these institutions continue to...

The Yadan Law and Its Potential Harm to Freedom of Expression in France

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

France’s Assemblée Nationale was set to debate an important bill for freedom of expression on April 16th. Though it was withdrawn before the debate, the government plans to introduce a similar law...

Bulgaria’s Democratic Backsliding and the Upcoming Election

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Communist Bulgaria fell in 1989, being replaced by a democratic system with severe economic challenges and deep political reforms. In 2007, Bulgaria joined the EU hoping to strengthen democratic...

Hope for Canada: Democratic Resilience

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Canada may be the shining hope of democratic resilience that the United States needs to see. In Canada’s most recent elections on Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney, of the Liberal Party, gained a...

Podcasters Gone Rogue: MAGA “Soft-liners” Reveal Themselves

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

As the United States and Iran come to a tentative ceasefire, President Trump and former MAGA podcasters can’t seem to do the same. The Make America Great Again, or “MAGA” movement has always relied...

Trump vs. the Federal Reserve

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Democratic erosion doesn’t happen suddenly, or even in the form of coups anymore; instead, it occurs through the gradual, internal erosion of institutions. Ozan Varol coined the term “stealth...

The SAVE America Act: Integrity or Erosion?

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Debates about voting laws have a long history of being highly contested in American politics. While proposals claiming to secure democracy have risen, the question persists: Do these measures...

Democracy Fails, Market Follows

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Democratic backsliding is often seen as a political problem, a phenomenon that manifests itself in elections, courts, or constitutions. But what if its effects reach well beyond the realm of...