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.

Giorgia Meloni and the Brothers of Italy

Nov 27, 2022 | Boston University

Pictured: Giorgia Meloni History is Made On September 20th, 2022, Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the Brothers of Italy (FDI) party, was appointed Italian Prime minister via a...

Has the Italian Parliamentary Election Signaled Democratic Backsliding?

Nov 27, 2022 | Boston University

In late September of 2022, Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party won a plurality of the votes in the parliamentary elections to secure control of the government in Italy....

How Much Do Shelby County Parents & Faculty Care About Their Child’s Education Quality and Environment?

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

By Holden Kirk Education is a topic of discussion in the political realm that will eternally be debated about. About a month ago I decided to attend a Shelby County School Board meeting to see what...

Have Americans Lost Faith in the Political Process by Whitney Brown

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

Recently I sat in a room on Emory University’s campus and listened to a small but diverse panel of accomplished and politically active millennials talk about why policy and policy making matters....

Protecting Democracy Through Technological Regulation

Apr 5, 2020 | Rollins College

The Economist published an article titled "Policing Propaganda" on November 28th, 2019. Its persuasive nature aims to convince the reader that "lawmakers, not tech bosses, should regulate digital...

Shelby County Needs More Experience in Local Positions by Alexander Robertson

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

The debate stage was set on a Tuesday night, it came down to three people to handle the criminal records and other data for Shelby County. The Shelby County Republican General Sessions Court Clerk...

What Really Happens At a City Council Meeting? by Ethan Shutes

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

Memphis City Council This past month I attended my first Memphis city council meeting, and not only was this my first Memphis city council meeting, but it was my city council meeting that I have...

“POLICE BRUTALITY. DO YOUR LEADERS TRULY CARE ABOUT PUNISHING THOSE WHO ABUSE POWER?” by Dane D. Norvell II

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

Serve and Protect. The words that have for years echoed into the form of reassurance of safety, have for many, manifested itself into nothing but a hollow shell. But does your city, our city, The...

“State Legislative Issues Briefing by the Family Action Council of Tennessee” by LaDarius Tatum

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

During the initial opening of the event, FACT President David Fowler explained some basic conservative principles. As he led us through a moment of prayer the next speaker to talk was Todd Payne...

COVID-19 Enables Netanyahu’s Continued Deterioration of Israeli Democracy

Apr 5, 2020 | Boston University

Israel has made international headlines over the past year, following three consecutive inconclusive elections and increasing fears of prime minister Netanyahu's autocratic tendencies. The state of...

The Death of the World’s Largest Democracy

Apr 5, 2020 | Rollins College

On the world stage, Islamophobia came to prominence after the United States of America declared the War on Terror in 2001. In spite of the popular perception that this was where Islamophobia in fact...