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.

Has Hiring a Security Detail Become a Prerequisite for Elected Officials?

Nov 13, 2022 | Skidmore College

It has become commonplace to hear about the growing daily threats of violence to U.S. elected officials since the now infamous January 6th, 2021 Insurrection at the Capitol....

Is There a Place For Anymore Growth In Argentina’s Democracy?

Nov 13, 2022 | Skidmore College

While the Vice president of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is awaiting her trials for corruption, it is her attempted assassination that has garnered the...

The Republican Party and Racism by Selena Spencer

May 8, 2019 | University of Chicago

This piece explores the relationship between the Republican Party and racism in the recent past and the current political climate. Within the United States, political discourse can’t exist without...

Liberal Democratic Monopolies – One-Party Dominance in Functioning Democracies – by Matthew Sparks

May 8, 2019 | University of Chicago

Institutionally and practically speaking, countries such as modern-day Japan, as well as India up until the late 1980s, generally fall within the category of liberal democratic states. Yet, as Ozan...

France’s Puzzling Polarization: A Case Study

May 8, 2019 | University of Chicago

Polarization can sometimes be a symptom of democratic erosion. A political climate that is sharply divided into two sides who are unable to compromise poses a major threat to a government founded on...

Talking Turkey? The Erdoğan Regime and Fake News – by Carter Squires

May 8, 2019 | University of Chicago

As perhaps one of the best known and examined cases of democratic backsliding, it comes as no surprise that Turkey under Erdoğan is home to a media landscape possessing a number of criteria...

Censorship or Security: Russia’s Ongoing Media Battle by Megha Bhattacharya

May 8, 2019 | University of Chicago

In his paper, Reflections on Putin and the Media, Scott Gehlbach describes the political implications of Vladimir Putin’s ongoing medial strategy in Russia. Published in 2010, Gehlbach concludes...

The Use of Fear for Populist Gain: Silvio Berlusconi and His Control Over the Media- by Julia Fischer

May 8, 2019 | University of Chicago

Silvio Berlusconi was a successful businessman. He owns the majority of the Italian media, and he was ranked among the world’s richest people in 2006. Along with being a billionaire, he was also a...

The Profitable Polarization of Fox News: A Catalyst for Democratic Backsliding and Stealth Authoritarian Media Capture?

May 7, 2019 | University of Chicago

"The President’s world view is being specifically shaped by what he sees on Fox News, but Fox’s goals are ratings and money, which they get by maximizing rage. It’s not a message that is going to...

How to Defeat Populism: Three Lessons from Slovakia by Jenny W. Xiao

May 7, 2019 | University of Chicago

On March 30, 2019 Zuzana Caputova, leader of Progressive Slovakia (PS), won a sweeping victory in the country’s presidential election. In a few months, she will become Slovakia’s first female...