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...

Winter Is Coming, But We Are Already in a Cold Civil War

Dec 17, 2022 | Skidmore College

Since the recent polarization of American political life, voter suppression and anti-democratic sentiments have been on the forefront of a war against democracy. America is...

What If It Was Lebron James: Brittney Griner’s Release and the Bigger Picture

Dec 17, 2022 | Skidmore College

If it were Lebron James or Tom Brady, the United States would have gone to war. What should be celebrated as a win for America, the release of wrongfully detained WNBA star...

Memphis city council meeting Jan. 21, 2020

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

Unfortunately, with my schedule I could not attend a political event in person. This ok though because it made me discover that all the Memphis city council events are recorded and...

Save Bethlehem Center

Apr 5, 2020 | University of Memphis

In the meeting about the city’s budget what should and shouldn’t be funded comes up and one of the subjects that arise is community centers. Bob Mendes, Councilmember At-Large, twenty minutes into...

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...