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.

Has Wisconsin Infringed Upon Citizens’ Voting Rights?

Oct 17, 2022 | Boston University

As of July 8, 2022, Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled that most of the state's drop boxes are not allowed. Eligible voters cannot have another person return their absentee...

Who’s Suppressed Next? Partisan Polarization and Voter Suppression in Post-Trump America

Oct 17, 2022 | Boston University

One of the most notable weaknesses of American democracy is its system of voting. Claims of widespread fraud following the 2020 presidential election perpetrated by one of...

Communism in Nepal Threatens to Destroy the Democracy It Fought For by Salvatore Ragonese

Mar 7, 2019 | Suffolk University

Recent events in Nepal suggest that communism may be acting as an obstacle to the country’s democratic progress. According to the...

Japan Evades Populism but Sets the Stage for Future Trouble by Riham Amin

Mar 7, 2019 | American University

Over the past two decades nations around the world have collectively fallen into the hands of populist leaders. From the long-lasting global stronghold of the United States the developing upheaval...

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....