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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Food Security is Rooted Abroad

Global fertilizer supply chains connect geopolitical events abroad to food production at home in ways most consumers don’t see.

The Meaning of Silence : What the moment of silence for Melissa Hortman says about American democracy

On June 14, 2025, the lives of Melissa Hortman who was a House speaker in Minnesota and her husband Mark were taken in what authorities believe to be a politically motivated act of violence. The same day Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and...

Buying Injustice: The Hidden Harms of this Act.

Are we looking to create a thriving society, or are we allowing fear into the lives of immigrant families? As new immigration policies appear, the question become, how do we prevent the changes that involve separating families and dismantling the place that...

The Battle for Free and Fair Elections in Ghana: Electoral Irregularities and Growing Unrest

Nov 4, 2024 | Ohio State University

Ghana, often hailed as a model of democracy in West Africa, now faces a serious challenge to its electoral processes and democratic institutions. Ahead of the country’s...

Silenced Voices: Singapore’s Government Continues to Target Media

Nov 4, 2024 | Ohio State University

The utilization of POFMA, legislation that allows government officials to punish news media that do not abide by its rules and restrictions, adds to numerous other media...

Bread or Freedom

Oct 14, 2020 | Northeastern University

Under the Soviet Union, Russian’s prioritized bread over freedom. It seems as though they still prefer bread. Freedom House rates Russia a 20% on its democracy scale and blames the strong...

Mexico: A Definite Delegative Democracy

Oct 14, 2020 | Brown University

In 2018 Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) and his political party, MORENA, historically won not only the Mexican Presidential election but also the Senate and the lower house. Many have been...

Did We See Gatekeeping in Full Effect Back in March?

Oct 14, 2020 | Northeastern University

February 3rd, 2020- The Iowa Caucus saw a close Pete Buttigieg win (26. 2% of the vote) over Bernie Sanders (26.1%), with Elizabeth Warren (18%) coming in 3rd and Joe Biden (15.8%) trailing at 4th...

Partisan Voter Intimidation on the Rise in 2020 Election

Oct 14, 2020 | Northeastern University

Trump supporters gathered outside Fairfax County Government Center; photo by Kenny Holston of the New York Times On the stage of the first presidential debate, President Trump, warning of unfounded...

Between Iraq and a Hard Place

Oct 14, 2020 | University of Georgia

October marks the one-year anniversary of Iraq’s anti-government protests. These protests have shaken Iraq while it still recovers from the devastating war with ISIS. Iraqis are furious with the...

LGBTQ+ Rights in Cuba: A Farce

Oct 14, 2020 | University of Georgia

For the last sixty or so years, Cuba has been portrayed worldwide as an autocratic regime that regularly restricts the movement, speech, and overall rights of its citizens. So why is it in Cuba, an...

Killing in the Name of Giants

Oct 14, 2020 | Northeastern University

Assassinations are tools of the trade for many global actors. Even if not always successful, they can send a strong message to the international community. With Russian opposition leader Alexei...

Pay To Vote: The New Costly Reality for Felons in Florida

Oct 14, 2020 | Northeastern University

What is being called a “modern-day poll tax” has found its way to The Sunshine State. Since the 2018 referendum to grant automatic re-enfranchisement to over a million of their citizens with felony...

Partisan Polarization’s Latest Victim: Mail-in Ballots

Oct 14, 2020 | Northeastern University

Voter suppression is one of the United States’ most shameful yet open secrets. Beyond voter ID laws, voter roll purges, and polling place closures, the right to vote by mail during a pandemic is now...