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...

Poland’s Democratic Paradox: The Remarkable Path Toward (and Away?) from Democratic Erosion

Apr 25, 2024 | William Jewell College

For any country, democratic backsliding can happen suddenly and, seemingly, unpredictably. The case for Poland, however, demonstrates predictors of erosion unseen anywhere...

Can an Earthquake Threaten the Non-Democratic Reign of Morocco’s King?

Apr 23, 2024 | Ursinus College

The wealthiest man in Morocco has little interest in abdicating his throne. He has barely any interest in spending his time in the land that he rules, either – former...

Jair Bolsonaro has led Brazil into a Democratic Backslide by Eliana Durante

Apr 22, 2019 | Utah State University

This year Brazil has faced changes in their presidential system which has put the country at risk of a democratic backslide. The 2018 election led to a vote to Jair Bolsonaro. The right wing...

South Korea is Headed Toward Democracy One Impeachment at a Time by Kyle Hewitt

Apr 22, 2019 | Sacramento State University

South Korea has been battling for democracy in their country since the late 1940s and has seen progressive movements toward a more democratic state. More recently South Korea has experienced a...

Government Shutdowns, Public Opinion, and “Near Misses”

Apr 22, 2019 | Utah State University

A few months ago, the United States experienced its longest government shutdown in history. Shutting down for 34 days starting December 2019, the federal government rocketed past the previous...

Violence, Fraud and Inaccuracies Continue to Plague Nigeria’s Elections by Jordan Reid

Apr 22, 2019 | Utah State University

Since regaining its democracy in 1999, Nigeria has suffered a history of voter fraud and violence in each of its presidential elections. Improving the safety and legitimacy of Nigeria's elections...

Keeping an Eye on Attacks Against Press Freedom by Radhika Upadhye

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

This coming Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Myanmar is set to make a final decision on a case concerning two Reuters journalists who have been detained in the country since December of 2017. Wa Lone...

Democratic Erosion at the local level by Spencer Goodson

Apr 22, 2019 | Georgia State University

My blog post regards instances I saw that mimicked Democratic erosion at the Federal Level, on the local level during my political event....

Stealth Authoritarianism in the Bureaucracy: Prosecution of Wikileaks Threatens Democratic Norms

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right . . . and a desire to know . . . the characters and conduct of their rulers.” – President John Adams [1]...

Who Counts As American? The Citizenship Question and the Census by Meghan Ward

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

In politics, the year 2020 is mostly talked about in relation to the presidential election. However, another important event for American democracy will happen that year and is stirring up its own...

The Mueller Report and Republican Gatekeeping by Kenjiro Lee

Apr 22, 2019 | University of Chicago

When it comes to Donald Trump, Republican gatekeeping has been somewhat lacking. Despite sexual assault allegations, racist rhetoric that made party members squirm, and a clear reluctance to accept...