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.

Economic Instability in Turkey: An Attempt to Find a New Economic Model or Political Adventure

Dec 16, 2022 | Suffolk University

This story is about an autocrat who has been in big politics for 20 years. Under his rule, the exchange rate of the national currency has collapsed several times, prices...

Ukraine and Russia: Soviet Tensions Lead to Modern Mass Murder

Dec 15, 2022 | Suffolk University

Russia has been threatening the democratic sovereignty of Ukraine since the country declared independence from the USSR shortly before its official dissolution in the early...

Social media as a tool to shape the government policies during the Covid-19 pandemic

Apr 28, 2020 | Bilkent University

Humanity is now facing one of the worst crises throughout the history. The negative effects of Covid-19 pandemic can be seen in countries’ health systems, economies and almost in every aspect of...

What the Pandemic can’t change: Turkey’s enduring crackdown on media

Apr 28, 2020 | Bilkent University

Turkey was already notorious for its growing liquidation in the country's media outlets. Erdogan’s strong men regime was pretty determined to not to provide even a glimmer of hope for the...

A Two Headed Lion: COVID-19 in Singapore

Apr 28, 2020 | Bilkent University

The coronavirus outbreak raises some interesting questions for the social scientists and the general public. Most importantly, why are some countries more successful than the others? Differentiation...

Virtual Town Hall: A New Means of Politics During the Pandemic

Apr 27, 2020 | Suffolk University

In a chaotic and confusing time like now, everything seems to be on hold. The COVID-19 pandemic has rattled the nation in ways no one could have ever imagined. Thousands of universities and schools...

Consolidating Power in a ‘Pandemic Democracy’: The Case of India

Apr 27, 2020 | Bilkent University

On 24th March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a major announcement, declared a nationwide lockdown for three weeks, adding that “Every state, union territory, village and district will be a part...

How Renewable Energy can Lessen Putin’s Grip on Russia

Apr 27, 2020 | American University

President Vladimir Putin is more vulnerable than some may realize. By over-relying on oil and natural gas production to fund social welfare programs, Putin has exposed that his grip on power is...

If not During the Pandemic Then When? Accelerating Polarization over Women Rights in Turkey

Apr 27, 2020 | Bilkent University

In 2018, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime announced the home to be the most dangerous place for women as femicides are mostly committed by their closest family, or partners.[1] However, in strange...

When COVID-19 Becomes a Political Ally: Abortion in Poland

Apr 27, 2020 | Bilkent University

On April 15, the Polish Parliament enacted the “Stop Abortion” bill. Although the Sejm[1] decided to redirect the bill for further review in parliamentary committees, the government was criticized...

2020 Iowa Caucus debacle. An undemocratic process?

Apr 27, 2020 | Georgia State University

The final results rolled in for the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses this past Sunday ending a turbulent and arguably “disastrous” week for the Democratic party and its bid to prevent President Donald...