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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

South Africa’s Democracy: Why Gradual Institutional Weakening and Public Distrust Matter

Democracy doesn't necessarily die suddenly. A country can continue to have elections, courts, political parties, and freedom of speech, but its democracy could gradually erode. I think South Africa is a great example of that. South Africa remains a democracy but...

Venezuela Still Had Elections. So, What Happened to Democracy?

Venezuela and Democratic Erosion When people imagine a democracy turning authoritarian, they often picture a military coup or a leader suddenly canceling elections. Venezuela shows that democratic decline can happen much more slowly. Elections, courts, legislatures,...

Bread in a Backsliding Circus? Broken Distributive Promises Fueling Indonesia’s Student Protests

Indonesia has long maintained a fragile relationship with democracy, teetering between dictatorship under Suharto until 1998, to becoming one of Asia’s most celebrated democratic success stories in the 2000s, and now again slowly backsliding towards authoritarianism...

Zambia’s Democratic Recovery, and Why It Did Not Last

Oct 17, 2026 | George Mason University

If citizens remove an authoritarian-leaning government through the democratic process of voting, is that the start of democratic recovery? If your answer is “yes,” Zambia...

A Game of Scales: Political Dynasties in the Philippines

Oct 17, 2026 | George Mason University

Democracy has been struggling to find a foothold in the Philippines for over a century. A political system with democratic qualities coexists alongside a deeply entrenched...

The Bukele Model: A Story of Stealth Authoritarianism and Media Suppression in El Salvador

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador is widely known for being well loved by his constituents. Recent polls, following his 2024 re-election, found 90% of his constituents to be in favor of Bukele...

A Step Towards Change in Italy

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

In March 2026, Italy saw the first major defeat of their current far right government. A referendum that would’ve allowed the incumbent to further control and reform the judicial system was not...

A ‘Franken State,’ The Future of Israeli Democracy

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University, Universities

A ‘Franken State,’ The Future of Israeli Democracy “For my friends, everything”: Israel as a Democracy, but for whom? In 1948, Israel was established as a parliamentary democracy. Despite Israel’s...

Mutual Reinforcement of Norm Breaking and Polarization in Peru

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Despite a concerted effort to create “democratic, clean, transparent and orderly” elections in Peru, with 8 presidents serving in office since 2018 and 35 candidates running for presidential...

When Scapegoating Becomes Strategy: Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

"I feel like my country is being stolen by people who have come here illegally," a Tea Party member told researcher Arlie Hochschild. "People come in and have the benefits of taxes, and the money...

Polarization or Resilience? Interpreting Taiwan’s 2025 Recall Movement

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University, Featured

Taiwan’s 2025 “Great Recall” campaign marked an unprecedented moment in the island’s democratic history. On July 26, voters were asked whether to recall 24 of 113 legislators—21% of the...

How Algorithms Are Reshaping Political Reality

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Democracy is often judged by whether a country holds elections, maintains courts, and allows political competition and debate. Yet in many modern political systems, these institutions continue to...

The Yadan Law and Its Potential Harm to Freedom of Expression in France

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

France’s Assemblée Nationale was set to debate an important bill for freedom of expression on April 16th. Though it was withdrawn before the debate, the government plans to introduce a similar law...

Bulgaria’s Democratic Backsliding and the Upcoming Election

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

Communist Bulgaria fell in 1989, being replaced by a democratic system with severe economic challenges and deep political reforms. In 2007, Bulgaria joined the EU hoping to strengthen democratic...