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 Trend of Polarization: How Political Competition Becomes Conflict

“Us” Versus “Them” In the context of modern politics in the United States and around the world, an increasingly worrying factor that plays a role in the phenomenon of democratic erosion is polarization. Polarization is a process through which the civil and political...

The Dignity Act and the Death of Bipartisanship

For much of the late twentieth century, immigration reform in the United States was an achievable feat through bipartisan cooperation. Lawmakers disagreed on key provisions, yet they were able to engage in negotiations, ultimately producing legislation. However in...

Benin: How Quickly Democracy Can Erode

This post examines how Benin’s democracy is rapidly eroding. President Talon has pushed the country off its right trajectory toward democratic values.

India Silenced: A Threat to Freedom of Expression

Nov 21, 2023 | University of Memphis

With a population of almost 1.4 billion citizens, the 5th largest economy in the world, and know to be one of the largest democracies in the world; it is evident that there...

US Gun Control and Democratic Erosion

Nov 21, 2023 | University of Memphis

The very tumultuous and vibrant discourse that is Gun Control in the United States is something that has been contributing to the downfall of our country's democracy for...

BE WATER: Flow with the [modern] Art of War

Dec 11, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

“Be water, my friend”, FLOW – the famous saying associated to the late martial arts icon Bruce Lee. – A “formless” protest, became the “mantra” of young Hong Kong protesters. An unprecedented...

HONGKONG IN-TRANSIT: Ground Works for post-1997 Democratic Prospects

Dec 11, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

The lowering of the United Kingdom and Great Britain Flag over Hong Kong on the 1st of July 1997 marked the end of a colonial era and embarked the return to mainland [China], after 150 years of...

Democracy as a Privilege

Dec 11, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

For years, there have been successful attempts to erode a democracy. In Argentina, Juan Peron helped lead a successful coup for two and a half years before making his bid for presidency. Augusto...

The Popularity of Lula and Unpopularity of Bolsonaro

Dec 11, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

On November 8, 2019, Former Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva was released from prison after the latest ruling from the Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal that reverses its position to...

Trump & Twitter

Dec 10, 2019 | Salem State University

President Trump’s “Tweet First and Question Later” strategy is nothing new, but earlier this month Trump was on twitter during his own impeachment inquiry. Trump wasn’t in the building, for the...

What’s next for Bolivia after Morales’ resignation?

Dec 10, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

The news on Evo Morales’ resignation came as a surprise. With his tight hold of the power in the past 14 years as he ruled Bolivia, it raises the question on why he would suddenly resign? His vice...

Modi annexed Jammu and Kashmir, is it a bold move towards authoritarianism?

Dec 10, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

“Democracies may die at the hands not of generals but of elected leaders — presidents or prime ministers who subvert the very process that brought them to power” were the strong words of Steven...

Indigenous Struggles: A Shortfall of Philippine Democracy

Dec 9, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

The Philippines opened the 30th Southeast Asian Games this year with a performance celebrating the country’s indigenous cultures. A day earlier, indigenous Aeta communities were given a notice...

The Future of Democracy is Purple

Dec 9, 2019 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

In a world of increasing political polarization, a fast-growing group of people from media and academe are pushing back in the United States in defense of democracy— donning the color purple....