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.

Democracy Six Feet Under: How Disinformation is Burying Philippine Democracy Alive

Philippine democracy is in great danger once again now that the two families who benefited the most from disinformation – the Marcoses and Dutertes, are in power and have turned against one another. As both camps sling disinformation against each other, the...

MAGA Meritocracy and Populist Ironies: Eroding Democracy from Within?

The MAGA movement’s embrace of “meritocracy,” often wielded against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reveals a profound and damaging contradiction at the heart of its populist appeal, with serious implications for American democracy. While promising...

Redefining the West: How JD Vance’s Speech in Munich became a Turning Point in Transatlantic Politics

On February 14, 2025, JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, addressed the Munich Security Conference. This conference is one of the world’s most important forums on international security policy. Traditionally, it focuses on transatlantic unity, but JD...

COVID-19: A Pandemic of Misinformation

Apr 25, 2023 | University of Utah

The COVID-19 pandemic was not only a pandemic of a virus, but also a pandemic of misinformation and disinformation. During the year 2020, it was not uncommon to log onto...

A Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox News and What That Means Moving Forward

Apr 24, 2023 | University of Utah

Dominion Voting Systems has created a court filing in a lawsuit against Fox News under a defamation claim regarding the 2020 presidential election. The lawsuit, which was...

When The Pen Fails: The Macedonian Conflict of 2001

Apr 23, 2020 | Georgia State University

Image retrieved form: https://www.istockphoto.com/il/video/4k-macedonia-flag-crisis-war-fire-gm1019157286-273912350 The Country of Macedonia, now North Macedonia following a name dispute with...

The Right’s Latest Strategy to Divide America is Failing

Apr 23, 2020 | Rollins College

The recent series of rallies protesting social distancing measures across the country have attracted the attention of countless media outlets. The rallies, which are reminiscent of the Tea Party...

The Exemplification of Democratic Erosion Through Coronavirus Protests by Sydney Knight

Apr 22, 2020 | Rollins College

It is no exaggeration to say that the impact of the coronavirus has rattled the United States. As of April 22, 2020, there have been over 800,00 cases of coronavirus in America and over 40,000...

Disengaged; in the midst of an international crisis, how can teenagers be expected to learn?

Apr 22, 2020 | Suffolk University

On March 16th, more than 90% of California schools closed their doors due to the Coronavirus. The same day, most cities mandated shelter-in-place orders and families were scrambling to find a...

Netanyahu’s Saviour: CoViD-19?

Apr 22, 2020 | Bilkent University

Aspiring autocrats do not necessarily need to seek out ways to legitimise their attacks on the institutions of democracy, such as free media, checks and balances, and civil society. Sometimes, such...

Trump Temporarily Banning Immigration: Is COVID-19 His True Motive?

Apr 21, 2020 | Suffolk University

On April 21st, President Trump announced in a press conference a temporary ban on immigration into the United States as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although this will only apply to...

How do you host a town hall while following social distancing guidelines?

Apr 21, 2020 | Suffolk University

Being viral is something that in the 21st century is natural and common. The Internet and social media culture have overtaken the way we act and communicate with people all over the world. However,...

What are our local governments doing to help citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Apr 21, 2020 | Suffolk University

While the global pandemic caused by the Coronavirus has impacted people everywhere across the globe, the United States has been hit especially hard. With nearly 800,000 cases and 39,000 deaths in...

The Importance of Political Accessibility and Communication Exposed by a Health Crisis

Apr 21, 2020 | Suffolk University

Since the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the globe, almost all countries are facing a health crisis at a level where they can hardly cope with it. The global pandemic occurring at this...