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.

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...

Strong Parental Guidance?: How Film Censorship in the Philippines Affects Democracy

While cinema is often dismissed as mere entertainment, censoring it poses significant threats to information accessibility and, by extension, to democracy.

What Cuba Can Teach the West About Democracy

Nov 6, 2022 | Skidmore College

As the world’s most established democracies flare warning signs of deterioration, perhaps it’s time for a look at liberal democracy’s most fervent critics to inspire...

Revisionism in Social Media and Philippine Democracy

Nov 6, 2022 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

In the digital age, social media has expanded from being a site showcasing lifestyles and personalities, linking and building connections between people, and a form of...

How the Republican Party has Failed American Democracy by Alison Gerzina

Feb 8, 2019 | American University

The story of the 2016 presidential election is not strictly one of failed gate-keeping. It is undoubtedly true that Republicans ignored their responsibilities, however gate-keeping, the...

The Impact of the Misinformation Online – Petition to Add Opioid Dependency as a Debilitating Medical Condition by Yunxuan Wang

Feb 8, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

Photo by Yunxuan On the morning of February 6th, I went to the Rhode Island Department of Health at 3 Capitol Hill to attend a public hearing of the petition to add Opioids dependency as a...

Demystifying Democracy— Seeking Transparency in Rhode Island’s Legislative Process by Amy Wang

Feb 7, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

With a series of open events, Common Cause Rhode Island has taken the initiative to clarify the state’s legislative processes to the general public. One such event was a moderated panel discussion...

Dr. Cornel West keynote: Integrity, Honesty and Decency

Feb 7, 2019 | Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design

By: Teréz Villeda-Medina “Brother King was a love warrior and a spiritual giant, but he didn’t get here by himself.”Photo courtesy of RISD On January 23, 2019 the RISD and Providence community...

What’s Your Calling? MLK Keynote Speaker Cornel West by Tiarra Bell

Feb 7, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

The distinguish Dr. Cornel West took the stage as the speaker for RISD’s MLK Series Keynote on January 23, 2019. Cornel West has such a rich background ranging from graduating from several...

Art, Identity, and Activism: Cornel West MLK Keynote Speech by Natalie Ma

Feb 7, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

“Don’t reduce my calling to a career. I had a vocation. Not just a profession. I had a life task,” Dr. Cornel West boldly declared, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.’s words to a rapt audience. On...

Who has the real power? by Manny Sodhi

Feb 7, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

When I sat down to watch this documentary, I was completely unaware of the existence of the events it addresses. As the documentary went on, I was intrigued by the series of events that were...

Considering the Retirement Funds for a City by Amanda Han

Feb 7, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

On the morning of January 30th, Soeun Yoon and I visited the City Hall of Providence. It was 10:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, and the Board of the Employees' Retirement System was holding their...

Building Civic Engagement For Protest by Nina Gregg

Feb 6, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

The connection between the government and it’s residents has to change, and it is. From political performance art of Ai WeiWei, or the Women’s March, to voting in a midterm election, people are...