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.

The Digital Divide: Social Media’s Role in Polarization and Democratic Backsliding

Social media amplifies political polarization by creating echo chambers that fuel misinformation, intensify emotional divides, and contribute to democratic backsliding, as seen in events like Brazil’s 2018 election and the U.S. Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. This deepening divide often fractures families, like my own, as differing political beliefs become sources of conflict, suggesting the need for algorithmic reform to preserve both personal relationships and democratic stability.

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Addressing the coup-demic: Why Regime Change Matters for Democratic Erosion

On the very first day of my “Democratic Erosion” seminar, I voiced my unease about the state of democracy in the Sahel—a region currently experiencing an unprecedented wave of political instability. Over the past five years, nine successful coups have swept through...
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The Power of the Young: A New Era of Democracy for Bangladesh

Unprecedented involvement of student leaders in the interim government of Bangladesh will facilitate the creation of strong democratic institutions.

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