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.

Trump’s Evolved Form of Populism Works… and Hurts.

President Donald Trump’s second term in office has brought forth a more evolved form of populism; by incorporating authoritarian methods of governing with populist tactics, Trump is doing significant damage to America’s democracy.

The Judicial Branch’s Downfall

By ruling with bias, the Judicial Branch is overstepping its constitutional role and threatening the integrity of our separation of powers and system of checks and balances.

Israel’s Judicial Reforms: A Potential Danger to Democracy?

Israel’s suggested judicial reforms pose a risk to democratic checks and balances by undermining the independence of the judiciary, centralizing executive authority, and potentially weakening democratic principles, similar to what has been observed in countries like Poland.

Rewriting Democracy: Chile’s Triumph of Institutional Process

Nov 1, 2022 | Skidmore College

On September 4, 2022, Chileans were offered a new path forward for their country. A new constitution had been drafted to replace the Pinochet era version, and Chilean...

Disbelief in Democratic Systems Starts with Election Fraud

Nov 1, 2022 | Boston University

Trump’s election as president was historic for many reasons, not only in that he seems...

Populism in the 2020 Presidential Race?

Apr 15, 2019 | Rollins College

When we think of populism, or the rise of populism, it’s pretty easy to think of Donald Trump. We think of his rants against immigrants. We think of his campaign against the elites, his cries to...

ACLU: An Important Resource

Apr 15, 2019 | Suffolk University

I recently attended a lecture given by Rahsaan Hall, director of Racial Justice Program for the ACLU of Massachusetts. I found this lecture to be extremely interesting and relative to the current...

Symptoms of Democratic Erosion in the United States, Stemming from the Simplest Roots of government

Apr 14, 2019 | Suffolk University

During the spring semester of 2019, I attended a Governor’s Council hearing at the Massachusetts State house. I was lucky enough to be invited to the hearing by my aunt who is currently serving her...

CEO Makes Millions but Does Not Pay Employees a Living Wage – Economic Inequality and Democratic Erosion in the US

Apr 14, 2019 | Rollins College

In a recent opinion piece by Paul Waldman of the Washington Post, he references a hearing in the House of Representatives, in which freshman representative Katie Porter (D.-Calif) questions Jamie...

“How Democracies Die” by Lukus Berber

Apr 14, 2019 | University of Chicago

“How Democracies Die”, by Levitsky, paints a truly dire picture for American democracy. The current political moment in the United States is feisty to say the very least. Historically, the US has...

Democratic Erosion: Propaganda Has Failed Us

Apr 14, 2019 | Georgia State University

Once a month, the Newton County, Georgia Republican Committee hold meetings to discuss two-year plans, new tactics on propaganda, and how the party can spread their ideas and policies throughout the...

The United States of Acting Officials – Samantha Rip

Apr 13, 2019 | American University

On Sunday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristjen Nielsen resigned after overseeing one of the most controversial immigration policies in recent history. That same day, it was revealed that Kevin...

Donald Trump’s Negative Example is Trending with Jair Bolsonaro by Austin Anderson

Apr 13, 2019 | Utah State University

Denouncing reporter's statements as “fake news”, moving the embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, pulling out of the Paris Accords, a political battle against Venezuela’s president Nicolas...

Local Democracy in Action

Apr 13, 2019 | Rollins College

Planning and Zoning Board: Winter Park, FL Emily Curran This past week I went to a Planning and Zoning Board meeting at the City Hall for the town of Winter Park, where Rollins College is located....