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.

You Can’t Sit with Us: The Practice of Democratic Gatekeeping and How It Has Saved Democracies

At the 11th hour of the 2024 election many Republican politicians and members of congress took a stance against Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Through the “Republicans for Harris” tagline, they urged their supporters through various forms of appeals to vote...

The Erosion of an Already Weak Democracy: The Rise and Fall of Jovenel Moïse

Jovenel Moïse's presidency marked a dangerous shift from Haiti's already shaky democracy to overt authoritarianism. Delayed elections, unchecked abuse of executive power, and violent suppression of resistance became the norm. By the time of his assassination in 2021,...

Undermining the Feedback Loop: How Trump’s Educational Policies Hinder Democratic Accountability

In a larger trend of censoring opinions which the Trump administration views as undesirable, the Trump administration’s actions towards schools and universities has a negative impact on democracy as a whole. Such a system depends on the free transmission of...

The Far-Right Goes Mainstream: France’s National Rally in Parliament

Nov 25, 2022 | Boston University

The National Rally (RN), France’s far-right party, gained a record high of 89 seats in the lower house of Parliament in France’s June 2022 elections. The party’s gains...

Media Freedom in Poland Is Deteriorating

Nov 25, 2022 | Boston University

In May this year, Reporters Without Borders, also known as RSF released its annual Press Freedom Index. This report evaluates various indicators to give countries a score...

The Ethics of War: Regional Tension Flares up between India and Pakistan by Emily Betancourt

Apr 12, 2019 | Suffolk University

Although going to war is controversial, many countries deem it necessary. However, war tends to be more destructive than beneficial. What is war? How are wars caused? Why go to war? Is war...

Italian Democracy: A Premonition to the Future of Democracy Across Europe by Brynn Kooyenga

Apr 12, 2019 | Suffolk University

This time last year, Italy’s political system suffered dramatic changes when, for the first time since the beginning of its democracy, a coalition of ultra nationalist parties won. The Five Star...

Azerbaijan: Anti-LGBT Crackdown by Logan O’Neil

Apr 11, 2019 | Suffolk University

Wednesday - March 14, 2019. Massachusetts House legislators overwhelmingly passed bill H.140 concerning the banning of practicing gay conversion therapy on minors. In a landslide decision (147-8)...

A Saving Grace: Why the Left Must Reclaim Patriotism by Heather Marshall

Apr 11, 2019 | Suffolk University

Crowded into Old North Church in Boston, the site where the beacon was lit to spur on Paul Revere’s ride, John Shattuck discussed the populism and nationalism plaguing this nation and poisoning the...

Recreational Marijuana in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by Amy Gagnon

Apr 11, 2019 | Suffolk University

On February 21, 2018, I attended a Cannabis Control Commission meeting for the city of Boston hosted by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The mission of the CCC is to honor the will of the voters...

Media Denunciation by Gabriel Moran

Apr 11, 2019 | Suffolk University

Around the world, there has been an attack on the media in countries everywhere that experience democratic backsliding. In places like Turkey, Venezuela, Poland and many more, the media remains...

Kazakhstan’s Elections: A Facade or Genuine Change Towards Democracy? by Michael Caulfield

Apr 11, 2019 | Boston University

Recently, the interim president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, called for quick elections to help transition the country into having a new, democratically elected leader. However, the...

“Fake News, or No News – The Growing Drought of Local Journalism” By Ruth Jones

Apr 11, 2019 | Utah State University

As local media disappears there is void of answers to the question, what will take its place. The ability of citizens to check the government has long been a necessary virtue for the success of...

Proposal Against Populism Undermined By Left-wing Arrogance by Salvatore Ragonese

Apr 11, 2019 | Suffolk University

John Shattuck, a professor at Tufts University, recently gave a public lecture on the topic of populism and nationalism. Although it touched upon an international issue, Shattuck’s speech was...