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...

The Divisive Force of Technological Polarization: Understanding the TikTok Ban

Apr 10, 2024 | Georgia State University

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media platforms, TikTok has captivated millions with its short-form videos and trend-setting content. However, beneath its...

Sall’s Stealth Authoritarian: Senegal’s Election Delay

Apr 10, 2024 | Ursinus College

Senegal has been a democracy since 1960 when it first gained independence. It is one of the only countries in Africa to have never suffered a coup since their independence....

CEO Makes Millions but Does Not Pay Employees a Living Wage – Economic Inequality and Democratic Erosion in the US

Apr 14, 2019 | Rollins College

In a recent opinion piece by Paul Waldman of the Washington Post, he references a hearing in the House of Representatives, in which freshman representative Katie Porter (D.-Calif) questions Jamie...

“How Democracies Die” by Lukus Berber

Apr 14, 2019 | University of Chicago

“How Democracies Die”, by Levitsky, paints a truly dire picture for American democracy. The current political moment in the United States is feisty to say the very least. Historically, the US has...

Democratic Erosion: Propaganda Has Failed Us

Apr 14, 2019 | Georgia State University

Once a month, the Newton County, Georgia Republican Committee hold meetings to discuss two-year plans, new tactics on propaganda, and how the party can spread their ideas and policies throughout the...

The United States of Acting Officials – Samantha Rip

Apr 13, 2019 | American University

On Sunday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristjen Nielsen resigned after overseeing one of the most controversial immigration policies in recent history. That same day, it was revealed that Kevin...

Donald Trump’s Negative Example is Trending with Jair Bolsonaro by Austin Anderson

Apr 13, 2019 | Utah State University

Denouncing reporter's statements as “fake news”, moving the embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, pulling out of the Paris Accords, a political battle against Venezuela’s president Nicolas...

Local Democracy in Action

Apr 13, 2019 | Rollins College

Planning and Zoning Board: Winter Park, FL Emily Curran This past week I went to a Planning and Zoning Board meeting at the City Hall for the town of Winter Park, where Rollins College is located....

The Ripple Effect by EJ Broker

Apr 13, 2019 | Rollins College

This post is written in response to two articles in the April 13 print edition of The Economist, both under the Leaders section: ‘Israel’s election, Bibi the conjuror’ and ‘Elections in Indonesia,...

Analysis of “Tech Is Splitting The US Work Force in Two”

Apr 13, 2019 | Rollins College

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/business/economy/productivity-inequality-wages.html This article explains that automation is replacing thousands of jobs while providing only an infinitesimal...

The US Democracy is Like My Old F-150 by Sam Hanna

Apr 13, 2019 | Rollins College

My family has a 2001 Ford F-150 with over 160,000 miles on the odometer. It runs like a champ once you get it...