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.

The Election of Narendra Modi: A Turning Point in the Indian Democracy

Oct 17, 2022 | Boston University

In 2022, India sits as the world’s most populous country of around 1.38 billion people, making it the largest democracy in the world. The Indian government is modeled after...

Has Wisconsin Infringed Upon Citizens’ Voting Rights?

Oct 17, 2022 | Boston University

As of July 8, 2022, Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled that most of the state's drop boxes are not allowed. Eligible voters cannot have another person return their absentee...

Social Engineering: a Consequence of Democratic Erosion Research? by Emily Maercklein

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

The ideal regime type Discussion of the end of democracy reliably captures the attention and fear of many Americans. As members of the most powerful liberal democracy in the world, it is...

The Problem with the Horse’s Mouth: The Case for the White House Press Briefing by Alexa Keith

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

In 1913, Woodrow Wilson held the White House’s first press conference. In 1929, President Herbert Hoover formally established the position of White House Press Secretary. Ever since, the White House...

Mulling over the Mueller Report by Megha Bhattacharya

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Special counsel Robert Mueller (2nd L) leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee June 21, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. The...

US Supreme Court vs. A More Extremely Anti-Democratic Regime

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

The United States Court's are an important foundational check on laws and policies that would violate the US’s democratic norms and institutions. Many see the Court’s rulings against the Trump...

Acting Titles and Erosion of Norms by Jorge Garrigo

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

The Trump administration is no stranger to turnover. From the very start of the administration, personnel has been shuffled in and out of key positions, some like Anthony Scaramucci lasting only six...

Can Sudan be a Fertile Breeding Ground for a Stable Democracy? By Omar Battisha

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

As political observers intently watch the situation between the Sudanese protesters and the Transitional Military Council continue to unfold, waiting to see if a democratic future is in store for...

Stealth Authoritarianism and Trump’s Constant War with the Free Press by Marcos Dymond

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

President Trump has a well-documented, antagonistichistory with many of the country’s most prominent and respected news authorities. In an October 2018 article Vox’s Ezra Klein wrote a piece on...

Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan Presidency By Luis Sierra

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

In Venezuela, President Nicholas Maduro has managed to remain in power even as the country continues through protests and a worsening economic crisis. Even after Juan Guiado the opposition leader...

How Disinformation is Threatening the 2019 Indian Election by Jenny W. Xiao

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

As the world’s largest democracy heads to the ballot box this week, political observers are worried that propaganda and “fake news” pose a threat to the country’s parliamentary elections. Earlier...