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.

Youth Are The Future of Democratic Consolidation in Thailand

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Thailand has had a volatile history when it comes to democracy. In 1932, a revolution overthrew the absolute monarchy. The first constitution in the country’s history...

Another Mass Shooting Happened, And We’re Used to It

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

“Mass shootings, where four or more people — not including the shooter — are injured or killed, have averaged more than one per day so far this year. Not a single week in...

Third Term could Mean further Democratic Backsliding for Hungary by Flor Figueroa @University California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

In the wake of the elections in Hungary, there are one of two things that could happen. Viktor Orban could win his third consecutive term as prime minister, continuing his reign of diminishing...

Kenya Civil and Political Liberties Jeopardized?

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Recent events in Kenya have prompted the country to peril in chaos. News of a supposed unfair election has the country on the brink of ruins after the runner-up Raila Odinga cries of an unfair loss...

A Facade: Is Indonesia Really Becoming More Democratic? by Danielle Wilkerson @ University of California Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

At face value the regimes which have followed The New Order have done an outstanding job at creating a state in which democracy is at the center. Upon a closer look, there are some red flags which...

ANIKA RODRIGUEZ @ UCLA

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

For my blog post i have decided to analyze and discuss the issue of the Catalan government in spain. The Catalan Government in the fall of 2017 decided they wanted to declare independence from...

Thailand’s Democratic Erosion by Meagan Abbey @UCLA

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Will Thailand's Dream of Political Stability Come True? In 1932, Thailand was finally released from the grasp of an absolute monarchy. Once freed from the reigns of the monarchy , Thailand formed a...

Kenya’s 2017 Presidential Election. Democracy or Nah? By Darius Aikens @UCLA

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

In the fall of 2017 the people of Kenya had the opportunity to elect a new president. This election was supposed to be one of the most democratic elections that this country has had. However,...

Is China’s Termination of Term Limits A Threat to Democracy? by Isabella Guerra @ the University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

This past Sunday China’s National People’s Congress voted in an overwhelmingly majority to abolish its presidential term limits, allowing China’s current presidential leader, Xi Jinping, to remain...

The Kremlin’s Quest for Another Term by “Rechelle Dennis” @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

This Sunday, Russia will be holding their presidential elections. Incumbent President Vladimir Putin is projected to win another term in a landslide which would bring his political reign to nearly a...

Modi’s populist tactics are detrimental to democratic improvement in India by Kishan Patel- UCLA

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Populist leaders have recently been on the rise and have been everywhere in certain events of political history. Populist leaders seek political hegemony with an anti elitist mentality that...