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...

How Did Trump’s Presidency Bomb American Democracy?

Apr 30, 2024 | William Jewell College

The United States is one of the world's oldest democracies, being originally founded in 1776. In contrast to nations that have existed for centuries, America is only 247...

The Root of Myanmar’s Unending Civil War

Apr 29, 2024 | Ursinus College

Myanmar as a nation is poverty-stricken, polarized, and plagued with military rule, completely ravaged by an ongoing civil war. Freedom House gives the country a total...

Egypt: Why Democracy is More Than the Right to Vote by Justin Saint-Loubert-Bie

Apr 25, 2019 | University of Chicago

The Egyptian people ratified constitutional amendments significantly expanding President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s power in an April referendum. The vote, which closed on April 22, left el-Sisi with...

A Fine Day to Lobby by Cherish Dunk

Apr 25, 2019 | Georgia State University

On a cold Thursday, I went to the City Capitol building in downtown Atlanta, wanting to contribute not knowing what to expect I was a bit nervous, however after meeting with the Georgia Shift...

Reflections at McDonough City Hall by Zachary Thomas

Apr 25, 2019 | Georgia State University

On Monday, March 18, 2019, I had the opportunity to attend the McDonough City Council Meeting at McDonough City Hall in McDonough, Georgia. While there, I was able to learn about the issues that...

“Behind the Scenes” of my Town (City Council Meeting) by Sommer Garmon

Apr 25, 2019 | Georgia State University

I sat in my town’s City Hall building, not really sure what to expect, as I had never attended any sort of political event. I was the first to show up, so I questioned if I was even in the right...

The Great Emptying by Alex Kendrick

Apr 24, 2019 | Georgia State University

Wednesday, April 17th, 2019: the mayor opens the City Council meeting in Conyers, Georgia with a prayer and the pledge. This is not an unusual practice for a town like Conyers: rural, firmly...

Rockdale Republicans by Doran Johnson

Apr 24, 2019 | Georgia State University

Rockdale Republicans On March 7, 2019, I attended a monthly meeting of the Rockdale Republicans GOP. At this meeting, I was able to observe and learn about how local government functions. People...

A Democracy Battle: China and Hong Kong

Apr 24, 2019 | Georgia State University

Prior to the year 1997, Hong Kong was a British territory in Southeastern China. However, after 1997, China gained Hong Kong and has since eroded and demolished democracy in Hong Kong. China’s...

Religious Ideology Threatens the Popular Vote in Utah by Keli Lalicker

Apr 24, 2019 | Utah State University

On November 5th of 2018, 52.75% of Utah voters decided to vote “yes” on Proposition 2, the Medical Marijuana Initiative supporting the legalization of marijuana exclusively for medicinal use. Less...

The Arc GA for Democracy by Rose Shine

Apr 23, 2019 | Georgia State University

On March 13th of 2019, I went to the Georgia State Capitol for “The Arc Georgia Day at the Capitol”. The purpose of the event is to advocate for the issue that is important to the communities of...