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...

The Rise of Populism in Myanmar

Dec 26, 2022 | Sabanci University

When Aung San Suu Kyi received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, Myanmar was seen as a specimen of change and of democratisation despite its long history of military rule. More...

White Christian Nationalists “ReAwaken” America

Dec 26, 2022 | Sabanci University

For a little bit over 20 minutes, he enlightened his followers on how to “Save This God-Given Republic” from enemies both foreign and domestic. After he finished his speech,...

Physical Distancing: Virtual Town Halls

Apr 13, 2020 | Suffolk University

Without a doubt, the world is changing. Day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute there is always something different happening. Social distancing is now the most heard term out there. However,...

The New Era of US Campaigning in Times of Covid-19

Apr 13, 2020 | Suffolk University

Today campaigning is in full swing, and unfortunately, so is COVID-19. Prior to coronavirus, campaigning involved the standard handshake and "baby kissing" as well as usual crowded political...

Why Coronavirus Spells Trouble for Democracy in Poland

Apr 13, 2020 | American University

Crises have always created opportunities for undemocratic leaders to consolidate power. Hitler used the Reichstag fire, Alberto Fujimori used the threat of communist violence in Peru, and Vladimir...

Crisis Gives Timor-Leste Chance to Revive Faltering Democracy

Apr 13, 2020 | American University

Timor-Leste’s response to the coronavirus emergency is giving new life to the country’s beleaguered democracy. Despite finding itself in a political pinch prior to the spread of the 2020 pandemic,...

Campaigning in the time of coronavirus

Apr 12, 2020 | Suffolk University

Because of the global pandemic of COVID-19, everything has changed. Now people have to practice physical distancing and stay at home if you are not an essential worker. With this big change, a lot...

Is Maine Doing Enough?

Apr 12, 2020 | Suffolk University

April 9th, the Maine CDC held a live-streamed briefing about the virus, and the steps they will continue to take to ensure the virus is controlled. As of Wednesday, April 8th, there are now 537...

Killingly Board of Education relies on technology for meetings

Apr 12, 2020 | Suffolk University

On April 8th, 2020, the Killingly Board of Education members met over Zoom to discuss certain items on their agenda. Certain points include the transition to remote online learning and an update,...

Every Vote Counts: Unless You’re a Minority

Apr 12, 2020 | Georgia State University

Voter suppression tactics have been used in elections for decades but has been widely ignored until recently. Why did it take the outcome of the 2016 election to bring light to the subject and why...

Security Lapse or Security Breach: The latest on the list of struggles for Israeli voters

Apr 12, 2020 | Georgia State University

Imagine if your social security card was posted online. Now, imagine every citizen’s social security number, address, and phone number were posted online. This also occurs only a few weeks before...