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.

These blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

President Trump Attacks News Agencies Through Legal Means

President Trump has been attacking our democracy through legal means by suing news agencies and journalist.

The SAVE Act, Voter Suppression, and Erosion in the US

Conservatives are championing the SAVE Act as a way to combat voter fraud, but what about when it enforces voter suppression?

Hungary: A Case Study of Democratic Backsliding in the European Union

Hungary’s gradual democratic backsliding under Viktor Orbán demonstrates how legal reforms, centralized executive power, and weakened institutional checks can erode democracy from within, turning a once-promising post-communist transition into a partially free, delegative system

Democratic Destruction Around The World

Nov 21, 2023 | University of Memphis

How often has it been publicized that a government leader takes their powers to the next level? More than likely every leader that even ran a country at some point has...

Can Workplace Democracy Save American Democracy?

Nov 21, 2023 | Northeastern University

United States work stoppages and organized labor activity in 2023 are reaching a level not seen in decades, as hundreds of thousands of workers across the country take to...

CHILE: This generation is calling for more. Are you listening??

Apr 14, 2020 | Georgia State University

“Education is not for sale” The recent, collected activism of Chile’s dedicated and ambitious students and young adults stands in confident contradiction to the nation’s recently-earned reputation...

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...