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.

Continued Threats and Erosion of Democracy in Poland

Oct 14, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

On July 12, 2020 incumbent Polish President Andrzej Duda won the second round of the presidential elections with 51.0% of the popular vote (BBC, 2020). Duda had first been...

South Korea’s Candlelit Revolution and a New President – A Case in Democratic Backsliding

Oct 13, 2022 | Ohio State University

When considering democratic backsliding, South Korea’s case is not necessarily the one with the most backsliding, but it is important to consider. While the Candlelit...

Corruption and Constitutional Retrogression In Israel by H. Upchurch

Mar 5, 2019 | American University

At the end of February, Benjamin Netanyahu drew condemnations from all over the world for a deal that would bring a Kahanist party into the Knesset if his coalition prevails in the coming...

Authoritarians Fight to the Death by Gwenyth Szabo

Mar 4, 2019 | American University

Authoritarians do not just cling to power, they fight for it until their very last breath. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is one of the many authoritarians currently ruling, and with elections...

Citizens Bring Controversial Issues to the Columbia City Council by Isa Colyer

Mar 3, 2019 | Saint Louis University

A defining feature of local democracies is that these smaller units of government can allow for more direct participation by the public. In Columbia, Missouri, each of the city council’s monthly...

Checks and Balances at the Local Level: Board of Adjustment Meeting by Olivia Kesselring

Feb 28, 2019 | Saint Louis University

On February 20th, 2018, I attended a Board of Adjustment meeting for the City of St. Louis, Missouri. The board is a part of the Building Division of city government, and hears appeals for any...

President of the Board of Alderman Debate: The Wake Up by Taylor Williams

Feb 28, 2019 | Saint Louis University

Recently, the Board of Alderman of Saint Louis hosted a debate at Harris-Stowe State Universityin the Henry Givens...

Big and small issues converge at local city council meeting by John Barrett

Feb 28, 2019 | Saint Louis University

On Monday, February 11th, citizens of a St. Louis suburb braved the cold temperatures and sleeting weather to voice their concerns on the state of affairs within their own community. In hoping to...

Woman March 2019 by Susmitha Chinni

Feb 28, 2019 | Saint Louis University

Going to a women’s march on a frigid mid-west winter day is the last thing one would want to do. So why would hundreds of women march down the streets of St. Louis despite the cold? Because the St....

Lessons in Democracy from Local Government by Caleb Logan

Feb 28, 2019 | Saint Louis University

On Tuesday, February 12, I attended the Maplewood City Council meeting. The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Maplewood City Hall in Maplewood, Missouri. The...

Missouri’s Master Manipulators Amending Election Results, Again by Paige Cook

Feb 28, 2019 | Saint Louis University

When discussing democracy, it is often referred to in the national or international sense, more specifically, in the notion of an entire governmental system. The theory of democracy brings about...