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.

Democratic Erosion in South Africa

Oct 12, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

https://mg.co.za/opinion/2022-09-16-the-state-of-democracy-in-south-africa-is-cause-for-concern/ Since the beginning of the 21st century to mid-2000s, South Africa has been...

Stealth Authoritarianism and Feminist Outcry in Iran

Oct 12, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

In mid-September of this year Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman was taken into police custody and died shortly after. The police stated that Mahsa Amini had a heart attack...

Why Polish judicial reforms go too far by Luke Shapiro @ Columbia University

Mar 30, 2018 | Columbia University

The ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) passed a series of controversial measures to overhaul the country’s judiciary late last year. In response, the European Commission (EC) took the unprecedented...

“For Students and Supporters Across the US, Prayers Are No Longer Enough” by Anne Pfeifenberger @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

Students have taken to the streets in the largest showing of a student led movement since the Anti-War Movement protesting U.S. involvement in Vietnam. On March 24, students, teachers, and...

5 reasons to lower the voting age by Yanebi Blanco @Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

Last Saturday, March 24, 2018, I experienced first hand what I am convinced will be a defining event in United States history: the 'March for our lives' rally in Washington DC. As I was standing...

“Each ‘End’ of Phil Murphy’s Gubernatorial Campaign” by Dylan Quinn @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

On a hot June day in Newark, just under twenty individuals huddled around a conference speaker. Unconstructed cubicles, boxes filled with office supplies, and Keurig coffees cups littered the stuffy...

Polarization And Propaganda For A New Age by Wesley Brock @ University of Memphis

Mar 30, 2018 | University of Memphis

It is likely that everyone reading this will have heard of the Cambridge Analytica incident by this point. For those who have not the quick version of the story is that an app designed for Facebook...

“Non-Violent Protestors Must Find Solace in the Small Victories” by Jack Galardi @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

Saturday, March 24th, 2018 represented an important day in our nation’s history, as hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in 800 cities around the United States to join the “March for Our...

March for Our Lives has the Hallmarks of a Successful Protest, by: Izzi Bertolozzi @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

On Saturday, March 24th I attended the March for Our Lives in Albany, NY. Since the election in 2016 there seem to be more marches than usual, whether they be for science, women or equality. There...

Community Conversation on Wealth Inequality in Saratoga Springs by Austin Albertson @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

As a student at Skidmore, I have never felt particularly connected to the community, other than frequenting my favorite bars, restaurants, and movie theater. Thus, in attending a conversation on...

More Than Ever We Need to Focus on Grassroots by Jane Huber @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

For my “do something” event I attended a wealth inequality talk in downtown Saratoga Springs. The event was held at the famed Café Lena and called Conversations to Build an Inclusive Community: What...