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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Food Security is Rooted Abroad

Global fertilizer supply chains connect geopolitical events abroad to food production at home in ways most consumers don’t see.

The Meaning of Silence : What the moment of silence for Melissa Hortman says about American democracy

On June 14, 2025, the lives of Melissa Hortman who was a House speaker in Minnesota and her husband Mark were taken in what authorities believe to be a politically motivated act of violence. The same day Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and...

Buying Injustice: The Hidden Harms of this Act.

Are we looking to create a thriving society, or are we allowing fear into the lives of immigrant families? As new immigration policies appear, the question become, how do we prevent the changes that involve separating families and dismantling the place that...

Democracy faltering in Brazil? By Neil O’Donnell

May 5, 2024 | Ursinus College

Democracy in Brazil has always been an uphill battle since breaking from military control in 1988. Brazil founded a constitution which typically protects many...

Hungary’s Assault on Academic Freedom

May 2, 2024 | Ursinus College

Hungary has been recently placed under international spotlight for its troubling trend of democratic decline under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Fidesz party. One of...

How Artificial Intelligence Becomes a Friend of Populists? by Josie Lui

Apr 28, 2019 | University of Chicago

"Even if we are true believers in the power of technology, in the benefits of creative destruction, we should not kid ourselves: the fourth industrial revolution, if left untamed, could increase...

Black Political Organizers Summit by Janice Williams

Apr 28, 2019 | Georgia State University

The political event I decided to go to was the “Black Political Organizers Summit”. The main goal of the event was made for African American women in the world who all wanted to come together...

What the Election Result Dispute Means for Indonesian Democracy by Jenny W. Xiao

Apr 28, 2019 | University of Chicago

Early results of the 2019 Indonesian elections indicate that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has secured a second term in office. A quick vote count on April 17 shows that Widodo won 55% of the vote,...

Engaging With The Community By Kenya Shaw

Apr 28, 2019 | Georgia State University

Over my spring break, I went to a political event called “How Journalists and The Public Shape our Democracy.” This political event was held in Gwinnett County at their public library. For those who...

Donald Trump Called the Mueller Investigation a “Coup.” Here’s Why that Rhetoric is so Dangerous by Emily Morrison

Apr 28, 2019 | University of Chicago

In an appearance on Fox New's Hannity, Donald Trump continued to escalate his attacks on any attempts at oversight of his administration. Trump, in a lengthy rant about the Mueller Investigation,...

An “Unusual” Type of Left Wing Member by Loredana Iacovelli

Apr 27, 2019 | Georgia State University

Throughout a diverse crowd full of women, my eyes were brought to focus on one particular person who you would think was there with the opposite intention than the reason for the gathering. If you...

Women’s Equality by Brieana Burke

Apr 27, 2019 | Georgia State University

On March 9, 2019, I attended a democratic meeting for Cobb county called Donuts with Democrats, at the Smyrna Community Center. I was very excited to go because I had never been to any type of...

The American Media: Friend or Foe?

Apr 27, 2019 | University of Chicago

Cable News: War of Ideology By Lukus Berber The University of Chicago American democracy has never been easy. Americans today have evolved since the days of duels and outright assaults on the House...

A Tradition of Empowerment: The Georgia League of Women Voters by Sara Rosendorf

Apr 27, 2019 | Georgia State University

For this blog post, I will be covering a “digital event” while currently residing in Utrecht, the Netherlands. I will explore the works done by the League of Women Voters, with an emphasis to the...