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.

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.

Arresting Opposition and Squashing Protests: Democratic Backsliding in Turkey Under Erdoğan

Turkey has been inching towards autocracy under Erdoğan and the AKP for the last 22 years.

Democrats Boosting Far-Right Candidates Could Impact GOP Long-Term

Oct 18, 2022 | Boston University

Preparing for this year’s midterms, Democrats have been releasing ads in support of far-right candidates with the belief that these more extreme candidates will be easier to...

Italy’s Submersion into Populism – A Period of Instability Seized for Political Gain

Oct 18, 2022 | Boston University

With a proportional parliament, multi-layered elections, and an established separation of powers in government, Italy would appear to many as a strongly democratic nation....

The Necessity of Accountability: Erdogan’s failure to accept local electoral losses could doom Turkish democracy by Nicholas Bornstein

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s democracy has slowly but surely been dismantled. The Turkish President constantly violates the personal liberties of the nation’s citizens –...

Political Polarization Within the Age of Social Media by Sophie Secor

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

The United States political field is filled with big names, and even bigger opinions. There are many up-and-coming passionate politicians on both ends of the spectrum. On the left, there are young...

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...