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.

Will South Korea Become the Next Victim of Democratic Erosion?

Nov 26, 2022 | Boston University

South Korea is still extremely young in its democracy compared to the rest of the developed world, becoming a democracy post Korean War around 1950. Nonetheless, the...

South Korea’s 2022 Presidential Election and the Future of South Korean Democracy

Nov 26, 2022 | Boston University

The two main candidates for March's election: Democratic former governor Lee Jae-myung on the left, Conservative former prosecutor Yoon Suk-yeol on the right.Image source:...

Trump’s Removal of Impeachment Witnesses Furthers Democratic Erosion In The United States

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

Boldened by an impeachment that died a quick death in the Senate and flexing a continuous loosening of congressional restraints, President Donald Trump forcibly removed Ambassador Gordon Sondland...

The Importance of Poland’s 2020 Election in Curtailing the Threat of Poland’s Populist Law and Justice Party to Democracy in Europe

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

After the fall of communism in 1989, Poland elected its first non-Communist prime minister since the early post-war years. However, some politicians still seemed to have communist ties. To counter...

Putin’s Constitutional Amendments: A Further Deterioration of Russian Democracy

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

Since Vladimir Putin was re-elected as President of Russia in 2018 questions have arisen as to what role he will play in the Russian government once his presidential term ends in 2024. In his State...

How Thailand’s General Prayuth utilizes Stealth Authoritarianism to Breakdown Thailand’s Democratic Institutions

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

The sky on May 22nd, 2014 looked grayer than usual. From my rooftop I could see billowing smoke from protestor camps throughout Bangkok as gunshots rang from military helicopters and tanks. From...

How the Democratic Primary Exposes Democratic Erosion Due to Polarization

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

While the polarization of modern American politics was displayed in the nearly partisan impeachment of President Donald Trump, the current democratic primary race to decide who will face Trump in...

Democratic Institutions at Risk as a Constitutional Crisis Grips El Salvador

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador occupied the legislative chamber with dozens of military officers Sunday, in a show of military power. These actions threatened the separation of powers in the...

Political Apathy and Us: How a Culture of Disinformation is Corroding Democracy

Feb 12, 2020 | Georgia State University

Featured image courtesy of Zachary Crockett/Vox; Photo via Getty Images. Everywhere you turn, the headlines are waiting. Politicians are turning to social media to appeal to voters at an...

The Iowa Caucus Causes Concerns in Election Legitimacy

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

The Iowa Caucus on February 4, 2020, encountered some technical issues causing concern over whether the results are accurate or not. There has been a request for a recanvass and if that recanvass...

How Trump’s Recurrent Invalidating Rhetoric is Derailing Democracy

Feb 12, 2020 | Boston University

You’ve heard it in the headlines, on social media, and maybe even from the mouths of your friends -- “Trump’s rhetoric is dangerous.” But what mechanisms does polarizing language actually trigger,...