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...

How Populism Let the Political Wing of a Terrorist Organization Win in Northern Ireland

Nov 27, 2022 | Boston University

In May 2022, Sinn Féin, Northern Ireland’s largest nationalist party, won the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, marking the first time a nationalist party in...

Doomed From the Start (a Study of National Unity in Serbia)

Nov 27, 2022 | Boston University

In 2017, Serbian democracy officially reverted to authoritarianism. This comes after the constitution written in 2006 at Serbia’s establishment as an independent state began...

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...

Mongolian President seizes control of judiciary, leaves country in peril by Ryan Stolz

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

Recently, Mongolia has seen its Democracy in peril, posing a great risk for backsliding. Currently, Freedom House has categorized Mongolia as a “free nation.” But, as The Washington Post and...

Democratic Threats Exist in Current Status of Brexit Negotiations by Nicholas Cook

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

Since David Cameron’s proposal for an European Union referendum for Britain in 2013, the British people and now the parliament have been deeply divided over the extent to which Britain should be...

The Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Polarization of the U.S. by Amber Chan

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

The political climate of today is more than just a little tense. Even before the 2016 presidential election, the liberal and conservative sides of the American political realm were strong opposers...

The Turkish Devolution by Aram Martirosyan @ Boston University

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

The concept of democratic erosion implies a former, more democratic state of affairs that is giving way to its corruptions. For this reason, the Turkish case is of much import, as the high rate of...

The Brazilian Version of Hochschild’s “Deep Story” by Eugênia Álvares Affonso

Apr 8, 2019 | Boston University

While reading chapter nine of Hochschild’sStrangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right , I couldn’t help but think about how the “Deep Story” she proposes to explain the...

On the Border of Democracy by Emilie Larsen

Apr 7, 2019 | Boston University

On February 15th, 2019, following the longest ever government shutdown, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over what he refers to as the security crisis on the Southern border....