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.

The Permanent Campaign: Why Populist Leaders Can Never Stop Fighting the System

Imagine winning the most powerful office in the world and still governing like you're the underdog. That's the paradox at the center of modern populism and it isn't accidental. With Donald Trump's inauguration for his second term in January 2025, the fight did not...

The 2026 Midterms as an Institutional Test

The upcoming 2026 midterm elections are being framed as a referendum on the current executive agenda. But to view them merely though the lens of policy preference is to miss the deeper structural issues within the current state of American democracy. As the nation...

The loss of trust in the MAGA movement by young conservatives

According to several news outlets, the March 25-28 Conservative Political Action Conference, more commonly known as CPAC, was poorly attended by the younger conservatives who had come in large numbers in the past. The New York Times notes for example that “youths...

The Democratic Struggle in Haiti

May 8, 2024 | Ursinus College

The recent gang related events in Haiti have spiraled out of control. The state lacked the capacity and power to prevent such gang activity. Haiti has long had the formal...

Nayib Bukele’s Dystopia

May 5, 2024 | American University

When Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 members were deported to El Salvador, they returned to a country that did not help them reintegrate or even...

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...