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.

You Can’t Sit with Us: The Practice of Democratic Gatekeeping and How It Has Saved Democracies

At the 11th hour of the 2024 election many Republican politicians and members of congress took a stance against Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Through the “Republicans for Harris” tagline, they urged their supporters through various forms of appeals to vote...

The Erosion of an Already Weak Democracy: The Rise and Fall of Jovenel Moïse

Jovenel Moïse's presidency marked a dangerous shift from Haiti's already shaky democracy to overt authoritarianism. Delayed elections, unchecked abuse of executive power, and violent suppression of resistance became the norm. By the time of his assassination in 2021,...

Undermining the Feedback Loop: How Trump’s Educational Policies Hinder Democratic Accountability

In a larger trend of censoring opinions which the Trump administration views as undesirable, the Trump administration’s actions towards schools and universities has a negative impact on democracy as a whole. Such a system depends on the free transmission of...

Democracy Dies in Darkness: What Brazil’s Election Tells Us

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

On October 2nd, Brazilian voters participated in the first round of General Elections. Amidst fears that far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro may stage an autogolpe if the...

Populism In Present-Day Italy

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

Populism is a political strategy that targets the general populace, hence the name. In recent times populism has grown in popularity globally. Examples such as Abdel Fattah...

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...

WILL MASS PROTESTS HELP OR HURT OUR DEMOCRACY? by Wyeth Taylor @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

The most central and important part of a healthy democracy is the engagement of its citizens, especially when those in power make decisions contrary to what citizen’s believe is in their best...

A New Face in Massachusetts Will Cure a Newly Polarized Community by Jake Hempel @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

Today's political spectrum is riddled with divisive issues, ignorance, inaction, and polarization. A diminishing face in government, even in the most popular states, opens doors for challengers to...

What had been normalized is finally being confronted head on by Jillian Seigel @ Skidmore College

Mar 30, 2018 | Skidmore College

On March 24th, thousands of people across the country and around the world took to the streets and protested American gun laws. With the United States being one of the most powerful countries in the...

Stagnation as Erosion: Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party’s Monopoly by Ginger Li @ Yale University

Mar 29, 2018 | Yale University

Since 1955, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan has enjoyed near complete control of the Japanese government. It has only failed to hold a majority for four of the past sixty-three years.[1]...

President Gurib-Fakim of Mauritius Resigns in the Face of Scandal: A Lesson in Accountability By: Bailey Markowski @ The Ohio State University

Mar 29, 2018 | Ohio State University

One of the most important aspects of a functioning democracy is its ability to hold its leaders accountable. A lack of checks and balances or of electoral accountability can lead to democratic...

Moreno’s Transition to Power: Ecuador’s Uncertain Political Future by Valeria Menendez @ Yale University

Mar 29, 2018 | Yale University

Ecuador's former president, Rafael Correa, was elected three times with over 55% of the vote in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Correa's Alianza Pais (AP) party has dominated parliament for quite a long time....