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 Judicial Branch’s Downfall

By ruling with bias, the Judicial Branch is overstepping its constitutional role and threatening the integrity of our separation of powers and system of checks and balances.

Israel’s Judicial Reforms: A Potential Danger to Democracy?

Israel’s suggested judicial reforms pose a risk to democratic checks and balances by undermining the independence of the judiciary, centralizing executive authority, and potentially weakening democratic principles, similar to what has been observed in countries like Poland.

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.

Fall of Democracy in Turkey

Jan 5, 2023 | Sabanci University

Recently, the global rise of democratic regimes starting during the 1970s with the Third Wave of Democratization has stopped. This wave was then replaced by a rise in...

Japan: Its Democracy and Freedom of Expression

Jan 5, 2023 | Sabanci University

It is described that the freedom of expression, one of the indispensable elements to remain the nation democratic, in Japan has gradually restricted. Especially in recent...

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...

Polarization through Targeting: The 2016 US General Elections

Apr 27, 2020 | Bilkent University

The fragmentations in society on religious and ethnic divisions, educational and cultural differences, and socioeconomic status lay the groundwork for polarization. Once it is planted, the...

Coronavirus: The New Catalyst for the Authoritarianism in Turkey

Apr 26, 2020 | Bilkent University

The socio-economic and political atmosphere created by the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to be felt deeply in every corner of the world. Some might say this disaster may unite the world back...

The Curious Case of Belarus: COVID-19 Pandemic

Apr 26, 2020 | Bilkent University

Response to COVID-19 pandemic at the state level increasingly presents itself as a better way of observing how well the incumbent leader is capable of conducting effective crisis management, or how...

Oil Prices turn to the negatives. What does this mean for our economy?

Apr 25, 2020 | Suffolk University

This week, Aldo Flores, former deputy secretary of energy for hydrocarbons at Mexico’s ministry of energy, and Marianne Kah, former chief...

From Bleach To Warm Weather: Trump’s Dangerous Coronavirus ‘Cures’

Apr 25, 2020 | Suffolk University