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.

Donald Trump the Nazi Reincarnate?: Godwin’s Law and How This Phenomenon is Counterproductive to Understanding Democratic Erosion

What do we hope to accomplish when comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, a tyrannical perpetrator of genocide?

The Russia-Ukraine War Bodes Poorly for Democracy, But Not in the Way You Think

The Russia-Ukraine War is a serious threat to global democracy through the growing wave of isolationism in the United States, an entity that has typically been at the forefront of fighting authoritarianism across the world.

The Trump Administration’s Attack on USAID

The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID, increase concerns about democratic backsliding as it could result in a trend with the executive undermining institutional legitimacy.

The Most Vulnerable of N. Macedonia: Dangers of Two Steps Back from Democratization

Jun 11, 2022 | Koç University

The 11 years of governance by VMRO-DPMNE has seen the party engage in divisive social rhetoric and erasure of legislative institutions essential to Macedonian social rights...

Hungary’s Orban Suspicious of EU Ban on Russian Crude Oil

Jun 11, 2022 | Koç University

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo by: The Russian Presidential Press and Information Office) Viktor Orban should be taken...

In New Haven, Homogeneity Trumps Deliberation by Emil Friedman @ Yale University

Mar 16, 2018 | Yale University

“Do you have the time?” I looked up from my iPhone, startled, and scanned him: 50-something, tattered clothes, messy hair. One arm. “It’s 6:45,” I replied. The second New Haven Board of Alders...

Genocide in Myanmar: Democratic Erosion or Democratic Illusion? by Katrina Webb @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

When Myanmar began its transition to democracy in 2010, it signaled a new hope for democracy in the developing world. Once thought impossible, the release of long-time opposition leader Aung San...

The Tyranny of the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan by Jeremy Figueroa @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

This past October, the Liberal Democratic Party secured a definite majority in the Japanese Diet’s House of Representatives. This should come as no surprise, as the party also won the majority of...

Democratic Erosion in Venezuela

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Venezuela, a country rich in resources is tethering on collapse. Social and political institutions have disintegrated, taking with it the economy. A number of reasons can help explain the situation...

Is Mexico Next to Succumb to Democratic Erosion? by Donyea Grayson @University of California Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Mexico's presidential election is right around the corner. July 1st, 2018 is when general elections take place and this could completely change the future of Mexico and its many citizens. At...

Democratic Ethio-rosion

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

From the beginning of democratization in Ethiopia until present, the government has experienced viable democratic erosion simply by displaying a weak commitment to democratic rules of the game....

Is The Rise of The Five Star Movement in Italy Eroding Democracy?

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Populism in Europe has been on the rise in recent years, especially in countries like Poland, Germany, the UK and France. Italy has become the latest country to join that list after its recent...

“Democratic Erosion in Venezuela” by Audrey Rogers @ The University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Democracy in South and Latin America has been eroding over the past couple of decades. Particularly, Venezuela has become more obvious about their active erosion of their democratic state. Maduro...

“General Election in Kenya Creates a Shaky Democracy” by Esther Ekwueme @ University of California, Los Angeles.

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Fall of 2017 up until today has been a very interesting political period for Kenya as a country and its people. In August of 2017 a general election was held where the "current" president,...