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.

Democratic Backsliding in the Massachusetts State House

Oct 17, 2022 | Boston University

As we well know, democracy is not a stable thing. It is fragile and easily threatened, yet idealized and strived for all around the world. In one moment it can be strong as...

Voice of a People: Is Trump’s Right-Wing Populist Shake-Up Detrimental to American Democracy?

Oct 17, 2022 | Boston University

“I alone can fix it”. Five simple words which have the power to jeopardize American democracy. With Trump’s use of such rhetoric at the Republican National Committee (RNC)...

Will Debt and Population Decline Hinder Japanese Democracy? By Markyle West

Apr 23, 2019 | Utah State University

In a political climate that is already turbulent, will debt and population decline hinder Japanese Democracy? If so, how can the Japanese government stop these problems from contributing to a...

Political Event

Apr 23, 2019 | Georgia State University

By Trevor Marzloff Trevor Marzloff Professor Robertson Intro into Political Science April 14, 2019 Political Event Blog Post I have...

The Corrupt Election Process by Jessica Redding

Apr 23, 2019 | Georgia State University

“The Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism” by Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way, perfectly depict how elections can be biased and corrupt for democracy. At a local political event, I attended at City...

First, they came for the blacks and I said nothing. Then they came for the Jews and I said nothing. Then they came for the gays and I said nothing. Last they came for me and there was no one left to speak.

Apr 23, 2019 | Georgia State University

What would the world’s oldest democracy do in an immigration/refugee crisis? The United States, an example for all other democratic nations, is in fact in a crisis right now- just turn on the news!...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Donald Trump the Nazi Reincarnate?: Godwin’s Law and How This Phenomenon is Counterproductive to Understanding Democratic Erosion

The Russia-Ukraine War Bodes Poorly for Democracy, But Not in the Way You Think

The Trump Administration’s Attack on USAID

Democratic Backsliding in the Massachusetts State House

Voice of a People: Is Trump’s Right-Wing Populist Shake-Up Detrimental to American Democracy?

Will Debt and Population Decline Hinder Japanese Democracy? By Markyle West

Political Event

The Corrupt Election Process by Jessica Redding

First, they came for the blacks and I said nothing. Then they came for the Jews and I said nothing. Then they came for the gays and I said nothing. Last they came for me and there was no one left to speak.

Original Intent and the Supreme Court by Renee Colby

Facebook’s Growing Role in Elections by Isabet Tranchin

Japan: Populism and Government Responsiveness by Dillan Passmore

Populism: Disease Or the Cure to Unresponsive Democracy?

Jair Bolsonaro has led Brazil into a Democratic Backslide by Eliana Durante

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