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.

How Much Longer Will Corruption Persist in Honduras?

Oct 13, 2022 | Ohio State University

Honduras continues to fight a never ending battle against corruption. In a country with perpetual stories of corruption from politicians and law enforcement, this type of...

Democratic Backsliding in the Ukraine Conflict and Renewed Prospects of Re-Democratization in Europe

Oct 13, 2022 | Boston University

The barbaric war in Ukraine seems to have a silver lining - the Russian aggressor has become a catalyst for European states to reevaluate their democratic standing and...

Chile Shows All Democracies Bend, Not All Break by Austin Albertson @ Skidmore College

Apr 13, 2018 | Skidmore College

Despite the youth of its democracy, the Chilean government consistently scores highly with third-party rating groups like Freedom House and The Economist Intelligence Unit. Like many South American...

Slavery, military intervention and oppression of the press: three barriers to democratic growth in Mauritania by: Isabelle Bertolozzi @ Skidmore College

Apr 12, 2018 | Skidmore College

The government in Mauritania, while in theory a presidential republic, is, in reality, not even close to being democratic. In fact, Mauritania is listed as an authoritarian regime by the Economist...

THE WAR (I THOUGHT) WE WON BY IAN FOWLER @ GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Apr 12, 2018 | Georgia State University

There are Nazis in America. We fought a war against them back in the 1940s. World War 2 to be precise. From what I remember of American history, I thought we had won that war. The few past decades...

Democratic backsliding in the nascent democracy of Poland by Shannon Flores @Yale University

Apr 11, 2018 | Yale University

Since the fall of the Polish United Worker’s Party in 1989, Poland has been a model democratic nation. It’s vibrant press, political parties, and free-market economy, combined with its clout as an...

Political clans and family ties erode the institutional system in The Philippines by Woeser Dolma @ Skidmore College

Apr 11, 2018 | Skidmore College

Colonialism created the Philippines political system embedded on socio-economic elites whom profited from political positions. Historically, the Philippines political elites became corrupt because...

Kasim Hafeez: From Hate to Hope @ University of Memphis

Apr 10, 2018 | University of Memphis

On April 9th I attended From Hate to Hope with Kasim Hafeez at the University of Memphis. Kasim Hafeez is a man who was born to Pakistani Muslim parents in the U.K. He was raised to hate the state...

Repealing Net Neutrality Reduces Freedom of Speech by Ronald Schaming @ University of Memphis

Apr 9, 2018 | University of Memphis

December 14, 2017: Federal Communications Commission voted to allow the creation of ‘Internet Fast-Lanes’ by repealing Obama Administration Net Neutrality policies. The former policy prevented...

Oscillating Factor of Middle Class in Democracy by Santosh K. Digal @ University of the Philippines, Diliman

Apr 7, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Every society has some form of inequality. The trajectory of class based on the economy is complex. One of the ways of inequality is said to be based on economy or purchasing power. The slabs for...

Losing the Liberation? Democratic Erosion in South Africa by Wabantu Hlophe @ Yale University

Apr 6, 2018 | Yale University

Since the transition to full democracy in 1994, South Africa has experienced limited democratic erosion, driven by extreme racial inequality, outsized policy influence from the private sector and...