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.

Rewriting Democracy: Chile’s Triumph of Institutional Process

Nov 1, 2022 | Skidmore College

On September 4, 2022, Chileans were offered a new path forward for their country. A new constitution had been drafted to replace the Pinochet era version, and Chilean...

Disbelief in Democratic Systems Starts with Election Fraud

Nov 1, 2022 | Boston University

Trump’s election as president was historic for many reasons, not only in that he seems...

Venezuela: Guaido’s Last Stand? by Randolph Kent

May 3, 2019 | Georgetown University

In what could prove to be an enormous blunder, Juan Guaido, Venezuela’s opposition leader, launched a failed coup to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro three days ago. The attempted coup...

Board of Society by Catherine Browder

May 3, 2019 | Georgia State University

Attending the Rockdale County School Board meeting, one may not see this event as an embodiment of democracy. However, this gathering of people giving their opinions on what should happen in the...

How Russia Uses Disinformation to Undermine Democracy Abroad, and What Can Be Done to Stop It

May 3, 2019 | Georgetown University

In the past, the word “authoritarian” brought to mind images of violent repression, censorship, and intensive surveillance, an image that. Today, however, autocrats have a new set of tools that...

The Tribal Constituency: Limited Democratic Flexibility, and the Future of Jordanian Stability

May 3, 2019 | Georgetown University

The strategic integration of a tribal constituency decreases Jordan’s vulnerability to a coup. Yet this same historic factor of regime stability also limits its democratic flexibility, and presents...

Social Media and Democracy by Justin Saint-Loubert-Bie

May 3, 2019 | University of Chicago

On April 30th, the Sri Lankan government lifted a ban on social media it had put in place following the Easter attacks that had killed 253 people. Officials had initiated the ban in fear that social...

Proceed with Caution: Predictions of Democratization Prospects in Sudan by Anne Della Guardia

May 3, 2019 | Georgetown University

Just last month Omar al-Bashir’s ouster shocked the world. And with good reason: it’s naturally shocking when a dictator who has held power for three decades is deposed non-violently. But it...

Is Democratic Erosion caused by the System or “We The People” by Kayode Babatunde

May 2, 2019 | Georgia State University

This country has come a long way, a country that was built on the back of immigrants, fought for by immigrants and developed by immigrants....

Democracy in Mongolia: “Oasis of Democracy” Backsliding? by Jocelyn Best-Silva

May 2, 2019 | Georgia State University

In January, the speaker of the Mongolian Parliament was removed from office after large scale protests over political corruption. Just two years ago, their Parliament also removed the Prime Minister...

Will Libya Ever Become a Democracy? By Geetika Badhan

May 2, 2019 | Georgia State University

Libya might be on the brink of a civil war. With an escalating conflict brought about by a military strongman and a self-imposed leader Khalifa Haftar, who was once a commander under Gaddafi. Since...