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.

Arresting Opposition and Squashing Protests: Democratic Backsliding in Turkey Under Erdoğan

Turkey has been inching towards autocracy under Erdoğan and the AKP for the last 22 years.

2025 Romanian Elections: An Election Redo and a Barred Candidate

Only two weeks out from Presidential Elections, Romanian voters face a tough decision in deciding on the next leader of their country. The latest opinion polls show that nearly 40% of voters are still undecided on who to vote for. After all, most voters already cast...

Why Protecting American Democracy Means Coming Together In Protest

In the lead up to the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic Erosion Consortium's very own professors Robert Blair and Steven Rosenzweig wrote an article in The Boston Globe urging readers to “Get ready to protest like democracy depends on it.” The article was in...

Supporting the Workforce of Democracy

Jan 14, 2023 | Georgia State University Perimeter College

In the US, we have a large and organized workforce that otherwise goes unnoticed during the elections. The workers on election day are composed of volunteers and government...

The Role of COVID-19 in Latin America’s Democratic Erosion

Jan 12, 2023 | Sabanci University

The current global crisis of democracy also extends to Latin America, where half of the countries display signs of democratic erosion. In this context, the COVID-19 pandemic...

Chile: Does the Past Stay in the Past?

May 28, 2020 | Koç University

As Carl Sagan stated, “You have to know the past to understand the present.” This is especially true for Chile. After 17 dark years Chile became a country in which democracy functions well,...

Taiwan’s Rejection by the WHO Worries Citizens: COVID-19’s Effects on Diplomatic Relations

May 28, 2020 | Koç University

Taiwan remains as reporting one of the lowest cases in COVID-19 disease. With the state’s meticulous and early measures, the world needs to be looking up for the precautions. However, the World...

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...