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.

Confusion and Control: New Voting Laws Weakening Democracy in America

A core component of democracy is representation through free and fair elections. Free and fair can be defined by who qualifies to vote and then by the actual ability of that group to vote. The SAVE Act, which presents stricter voter ID laws, with the intention of...

Hollowing out the State: DOGE and the Administrative Erosion of American Democracy

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body embedded within the existing U.S. Digital Service and led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Framed publicly as a crusade against wasteful...

Look at What They Took From You: MAGA Polarization Through Social Media

With the accessibility of social media, how does the current administration use it to create polarization?

Why Iranian Elections Don’t Matter Anymore

Jan 31, 2024 | Sabanci University

Elections in Iran used to be quite competitive and consequential. However, the democratic elements of the regime were successively weakened and even moderate former...

Will Slovakia follow Hungary’s path?

Jan 7, 2024 | Sabanci University

In recent years, the Slovak political situation has been characterized by instability, polarization, corruption, and a resurgence of populist forces. The political...

Unprecedented Times of the Novel Coronavirus: How’s New Hampshire handling it?

Apr 14, 2020 | Suffolk University

We are all in the midst of unprecedented, uncertain, and worrisome times with the transition to remote learning for high schools and universities, business closures, and the implementation of...

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,...