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.

First 100 Days, More Like First 100 Hours: How Trump’s First 100 Days Played Out Against Trump’s Second 100 Hours

Indiana Senator Jim Banks, a staunch Trump ally, predicted that President Trump’s return to power would be characterized by “shock and awe.” In many ways, the events of President Trump’s first 100 hours in office during his second term have lived up to that promise....

History Repeats: Why Strong Global Defense is Key to Preventing Autocracy

A strong and consistent global defense by democratic nations is crucial to preventing the rise of autocratic regimes, as history shows—from the Cold War doctrines to the failed democratization of Afghanistan—that without committed follow-through and structural reform, authoritarian forces will exploit weaknesses and reclaim power.

Women in Political Dynasties: The Illusion of Choice and Democratic Erosion in the Philippines

Political dynasties have long controlled Philippine politics, with powerful families passing down leadership positions across generations. Despite the imposition of term limits discouraging dynastic rule, these families have found their way around the constitutional...

Democratic Erosion in Mexico: AMLO Weakens the Rule of Law

Nov 28, 2022 | Boston University

An effective rule of law is essential for a stable democracy. The Rule of Law is summarized as a “durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment”....

Censorship in Nicaragua – A Massacre of Media

Nov 28, 2022 | Boston University

Nicaragua’s government is a regime of accelerating oppression, injustice, and terror. Through Daniel Ortega’s 15 year regime, elections have become increasingly unfair,...

Does the Ukrainian presidential election demonstrate the erosion of democratic norms?

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

(The Associated Press) Current Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and future Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the first and only presidential debate. The Ukrainian...

Anti-Refugee Sentiment in Germany by Ruth Selipsky

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

Since Germany’s reunification in 1990, the former East and West have been united under a single constitution: the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany. It was first passed in West Germany...

Is Trump’s Declaration of a National Emergency at the Border a Threat to American Democracy? by Emily Young

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

On February 15th, 2019 President Trump held a national press conference announcing his declaration of a National Emergency at the Border with Mexico. This declaration allowed him to utilize his...

Erosion by the Polarized Judiciary: Has the United States Supreme Court already failed? by Kenneth Coleman

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

The Bush v. Gore (2000) decision has been scrutinized as the most partisan decision by the Supreme Court, arguably in history, but certainly for the last several decades. Justice John Paul Stevens...

Legal Methods for Jair Bolsonaro to Engage in Democratic Erosion in Brazil By Shiva Kangeyan

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

On October 28, 2018, Jair Bolsonaro of the Social Liberal Party was elected President of Brazil. Despite the party's name, politically Bolsonaro can be categorized as espousing several authoritarian...

“Anti-Corruption” Politics: A Threat to Mongolia’s “Oasis of Democracy” by Charlotte Bairey

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

In 2016, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry regaled Mongolia as an “oasis of democracy” in contrast to its neighbors such as China and Russia. Following its Democratic Revolution of 1990, Mongolia...

Protected: The Cyberwar Against Taiwanese Democracy

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

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Checks and Balances in Mongolia and the United States- Malak Arafa

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

Mongolia and the United States are both prime examples of how weakened checks on the executive branch can lead to a lack of trust in democratic institutions and ultimately to executive...

Access to Political power by Max Krause

Apr 21, 2019 | University of Chicago

The last remnants of overt authoritarianism in the United States have become besieged by powerful social movements. The American Civil war was fought to end the tyranny of chattel slavery. Far too...