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.

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...

From Stardom to Senate: The Alarming Trend of Celebrity Politics in the Philippines

The intersection of celebrity and politics in the Philippines is nothing new. The phenomenon of celebrity politicians—actors, athletes, and other public figures who go from the big screen or stage to the corridors of power—has become a defining aspect of the country's...

Generation Z: A Stop Sign for Democratic Erosion?

Nov 22, 2022 | Suffolk University

“But there is something else at stake: democracy itself. [...] We must vote”[2]. In a speech given on November 2nd, President Joe Biden spoke regarding the Midterm...

Haitian Deportation and the Breakdown of the Democracy in the Dominican Republic

Nov 22, 2022 | Boston University

The Dominican Republic has been an established democracy since the 1960s when it established itself as such in their constitution in 1966. During the 1960s and 70s the DR...

How Corruption in Jamaica is Demoralizing Democracy by Amy Gagnon

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

In 2016, the Economist Intelligence Unit rated Jamaica as a “flawed democracy,” and since then has struggled to lose that title. This is mainly due to the rising corruption levels facing the...

Wanting to be like Europe: Albanian student movement offers hope for the future by Stiv Mucollari

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

Three decades ago students in Albania demanded change and protested the totalitarian communist regime that had ruled Albania since 1945. The student movement swelled and paralyzed the Albanian...

The Prespa Agreement: How North Macedonia’s Name Change is a Step Forward for Democracy by Emily Dichele

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

As of February 2019, Macedonia has officially changed their name to the Republic of North Macedonia after the signing of the Prespa agreement. The agreement between Greece and Macedonia required the...

The Putin Internet Paradox; Decreased Internet Freedom Could Lead to Liberalization in Russia by Jonathan Eckel

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

Putin’s reign of power in Russia has been augmented, in part, by his ever-increasing vice grip on independent media outlets and oppositional voices. Currently, Russia ranks 148th out of 180...

China’s “One country, two systems” policy: A threat to Taiwan’s democracy by Hoang Nguyen

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

From left to right: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US President Donald Trump. Photo: Financial Times Xi Jinping’s Ambition At the 19th Party Congress of the...

Taiwan’s Road to Freedom by Anna Meomutli

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

Republic of China, another name of Taiwan, is a quasi-independent state in the East Asian region that is showing the world that one can and will make it to freedom if people are connected by the...

Nickel and Dimed by Gabriel Moran

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

What does democratic backsliding mean for the U.S. economy when looking through the scope of other nondemocratic/backsliding countries? With abject poverty on the decline, and industrialization of...

The Ethics of Science, Protest, and Technology: Helpful or Harmful? By Emily Betancourt

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

Science may cause wars, although an extreme perspective, highly possible. The United States is subjective towards where they spend their dollars. However, they are quick on devoting expenditures...

A Broken System by Humza Usman

Mar 10, 2019 | Suffolk University

The American criminal justice system raises many concerns among ethnic minorities within this diverse country as we see rising reports of police brutality along with racial disparity in length of...