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.

El Salvador is Objectively Becoming Safer, But at What Cost to Democracy?

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

El Salvador is a country that many Americans have heard of but very few know a lot about. The nation has experienced a long history of turmoil with several military...

Let’s Be Cautious of Jail Bolsonaro as Brazil Enters Round Two of Voting

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Brazil's incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro utilized populist rhetoric and disinformation to help win his 2018 election campaign. At the beginning of this month, Bolsonaro...

“The Empire Strikes Back (Again)” by Casey Francois @ Georgia State University

Oct 21, 2018 | Georgia State University

If you told me five years ago that we would be anywhere other than in the safe embrace of a Hillary Clinton presidency, I would ask who your dealer was and how much. Alas, here we are in the throes...

“Restricting Peaceful protest is a danger to our Democracy” by Verina Hunt @ “Georgia State University”

Oct 11, 2018 | Georgia State University

The idea of protest evokes images of minorities taking a public stand or groups that are outside the mainstream protesting for basic civil liberties. When people protest, it is often against...

Fighting Democratic Erosion in the Philippines: Beyond Resistance by Michael Manangu @ University of the Philippines, Diliman

May 26, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

In a controversial decision, the Philippine Supreme Court voted on May 11 to remove its leader, Maria Lourdes Sereno. The court’s majority ordered Sereno’s seat vacated after acting on a petition...

The Role of the National Democratic Left in Creating Spaces of Resistance in the Face of an Eroding Philippine Democracy by Patricia Villa @ University of the Philippines, Diliman

May 25, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

The erosion of Philippine democracy has set a new stage of opportunity for resistance movements to seize. Indeed, the country is in another “extraordinary time”. What could the role of the National...

“Ukraine’s Path Dependent Democracy: Unintended Consequences of Transitional Democratic Institutions” by Minch Cerrero @ University of the Philippines, Diliman

May 18, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Ukraine prides itself with three revolutions - 1991 independence from Russia, 2004 Orange Revolution and the 2014 Euromaidan. These historical junctures are inextricably linked to Ukraine’s...

“Mr. President, It Is Not Entirely Your Fault Why the Philippines Suffers from Illiberal Democracy” by Minch Cerrero @ University of the Philippines, Diliman

May 18, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Duterte’s authoritarian tendencies cannot be plainly framed as symptomatic of the changing times. His exercise of democracy, that is occasionally illiberal, is a product of the confluence of three...

WHY MODI FEELS LIKE CHÁVEZ BY SANTOSH K. DIGAL @ UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN

May 18, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Venezuela’s late President Hugo Chávez and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi belong to two different generations, contexts, and continents. They were reared in very different social, cultural,...

Combatting a Taboo: considering Alternatives to Democracy? – By Mathias PENGUILLY @ Georgia State University

May 16, 2018 | Georgia State University

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, we have been conditioned to believe that democracy was eternal and that no other system could triumph against it. The Western powers...

Removal of Chief Justice Sereno, Slippery Slope or a Mere Continuation of the Politicized Judiciary? By Hannah Frances C. Bodegon @University of the Philippines-Diliman

May 16, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

On May 12, eight justices namely Teresita de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes, and Alexander Gesmundo voted in favor to remove...