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.

How far is too far for South Korea’s presidential pardons?

South Korea’s presidential pardons raise questions on accountability, especially in the aftermath of Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law.

How tolerating and encouraging violence fuels democratic backsliding in Georgia

During the past demonstrations, the ruling party of Georgia – Georgian Dream – made violence their primary weapon in overcoming protest. This blog emphasizes how violence used by the state implies democratic backsliding in light of the theoretical framework by Levistsky and Ziblatt.

Repression on Repeat: From Kyiv to Minsk to Tbilisi

Repression on Repeat: From Kyiv to Minsk to Tbilisi Last October, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. Many considered them as important as a referendum because Georgian citizens were asked to choose between the ruling Georgian Dream, a Euroskeptic...

Could the 2017 burning of Congress in Paraguay have led to the end years of Colorado Party dominance?

Nov 8, 2024 | Ohio State University

On March 31st, 2017, protesters set fire to the Paraguayan Congress, dismantling fences, clashing with riot police, and storming the legislative chambers, venting anger at...

The Unpaved Road Of Guatemala’s Democracy

Nov 5, 2024 | Ohio State University

The road to democracy for Guatemala was rocky and has remained just as unpaved since. Guatemala has a unique political history, with civil wars, hope for peace, and...

Stealth Authoritarianism being an American Compromise.

Nov 20, 2023 | University of Memphis

The Democratic Erosion Project exist to help shed light on how democracy falls apart and ways to preserve it as the rise of authoritarian states spread across the democratic world. However in the...

Chad’s Main Opposition Leader Fears Returning to His Country

Nov 20, 2023 | Northeastern University

The political exile of Succes Masra, leader of a main opposition party to the military junta in Chad, has recently come to an end after over a year away from the country. What is still unclear is...

‘The rest of the world is looking,’ – President Biden Delivers a Warning on U.S. Democratic Backsliding Preceding 2024 Election.

Nov 17, 2023 | Salem State University

On September 28, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a speech commemorating the late senator John McCain, addressing the state of democratic backsliding in America, and warning Americans of the...

Artificial Intelligence and Authoritarian Governments

Nov 17, 2023 | Salem State University

It's common knowledge that countries like China, North Korea and Russia restrict internet access to keep ideas out and rebellions in. They will use any excuse to monitor, restrict, shut down speech,...

Slovakia’s Decision to Deter Immigrants from Entering the Country and Its Connection to Populism

Nov 15, 2023 | Salem State University

On October 30, 2023, the newly appointed Slovak government deployed police and armed forces to the border it shares with Hungary. This deployment came after Prime Minister Robert Fico, who came to...

How a Third Wave of Autocratization Has Impacted Montenegro

Nov 9, 2023 | Salem State University

On October 30th, the Montenegrin parliament voted for a new government after months of political tension. This tension started in June when “Europe Now”, a centrist party with a primary goal of...

Democracy in the United Kingdom: Resilient or a Recipe for Erosion?

Nov 5, 2023 | Arizona State University

As an entrenched democracy with widespread and relatively open political and social institutions, the United Kingdom might not immediately come to mind for a state that is backsliding away from...

Food and Democracy: Democracy-building U.S. Aid Program under Threat

Nov 5, 2023 | Arizona State University

In 2021, nearly 4 million people were assisted by the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program including 2.1 million school age children across the entire globe. Going into 2023 and 2024, there is...

Albania is on a slow authoritarian spiral

Oct 31, 2023 | Salem State University

Former Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha and his son-in-law Jamarber Maltezzi are embroiled in corruption scandals. Berisha is charged with money laundering and corruption in a scheme involving...