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.

Voter Suppression as a Means for Stealth Authoritarianism in the United States

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

January 6th, 2021 was a harrowing day in American history by many metrics. The country watched as a mob of President Trump’s supporters stormed the United States Capitol...

Thailand’s Government Continues Expanding Their Rights at the Expense of Its People

Oct 15, 2022 | Ohio State University

From a young age, we learn to make the most of the hand we’re dealt. As time goes on, we learn to adapt. We learn to use the mechanisms in place to achieve our goals. We see...

Trump and the Mueller Report by Lily Bryant

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

It has been nearly two years since Robert Mueller was appointed as special counsel to investigate President Trump for evidence of collusion during the 2016 presidential election and obstruction of...

Democracy is Eroding in Mongolia by Nikki Tolenoa

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

Mongolia has been depicted as moving towards an authoritarian regime within the most recent years and has been leaning further away from democratic practices. During the 2016 parliament election,...

Robot Trucks and Their Threat to a Peaceful Democracy by Eli Kramer

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

The robot takeover has already begun. Look around: more and more of our lives are being run by increasingly helpful machines. Our schools use complex registration systems, our computers have access...

The Current State of Brexit and the Coinciding Rise of Populism in Britain and Demise of Democracy by Adelyn Davidson

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

The establishment of third-party political groups in the UK helped the pass Brexit referendum by a 1.9% lead in 2016, almost three years later, the future of Britain's democracy is at stake due to...

How PR deals with polarization and populism

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

The elections in Sweden indicate that populism in Europe is continually rising and such trend is not good for maintaining democracy because the voice from minority groups are neglected from the...

Stealth Authoritarianism and the Rise of Hungary’s Hybrid Regime by Brady Mokrzycki

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

Since being elected prime minister of Hungary in 2010, Viktor Orban and his regime have implemented stealth authoritarian tactics to protect and consolidate power. Although Hungary is considered to...

Will Trump’s Latest Executive Order Come Back to Haunt Him? By Chad Krys

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

On March 21st President Trump signed into action an executive order protecting the freedom of speech on college campuses. This comes following a buzz recently where conservative activists have...

Mongolian President seizes control of judiciary, leaves country in peril by Ryan Stolz

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

Recently, Mongolia has seen its Democracy in peril, posing a great risk for backsliding. Currently, Freedom House has categorized Mongolia as a “free nation.” But, as The Washington Post and...

Democratic Threats Exist in Current Status of Brexit Negotiations by Nicholas Cook

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

Since David Cameron’s proposal for an European Union referendum for Britain in 2013, the British people and now the parliament have been deeply divided over the extent to which Britain should be...