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 blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

History Repeats: Why Strong Global Defense is Key to Preventing Autocracy

A strong and consistent global defense by democratic nations is crucial to preventing the rise of autocratic regimes, as history shows—from the Cold War doctrines to the failed democratization of Afghanistan—that without committed follow-through and structural reform, authoritarian forces will exploit weaknesses and reclaim power.

Women in Political Dynasties: The Illusion of Choice and Democratic Erosion in the Philippines

Political dynasties have long controlled Philippine politics, with powerful families passing down leadership positions across generations. Despite the imposition of term limits discouraging dynastic rule, these families have found their way around the constitutional...

From Stardom to Senate: The Alarming Trend of Celebrity Politics in the Philippines

The intersection of celebrity and politics in the Philippines is nothing new. The phenomenon of celebrity politicians—actors, athletes, and other public figures who go from the big screen or stage to the corridors of power—has become a defining aspect of the country's...

Voter Suppression in Georgia is Destroying America’s Civic Culture

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

One of the surprises of the tumultuous 2020 Presidential Election was Georgia, a traditionally Republican state, turning blue in favor of Joe Biden. Biden would go on to win...

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

MAGA Republicans failed in 2020, but efforts are underway to make sure 2024 is a different story. November 7, 2020. Joseph Biden is determined by major news networks...

Back and Forth: Romanian democracy is teetering by Marissa Kelly @ The Ohio State University

Mar 26, 2018 | Ohio State University

Only a year after massive, week-long demonstrations—the likes of which had not been seen in Romania since the demonstrations leading up to the fall of the Communism—Romanians took to the streets...

The Outsiders by Evelyn Kennedy @ The Ohio State University

Mar 25, 2018 | Ohio State University

Donald Trump both gets a lot of flak and creates a proud identity for himself as a political outsider and former reality star. Off the screen and into the Beltway, he played on this “outsider”...

Hungary’s Embrace of Illiberal Democracy by Nicole Wells @ American University

Mar 25, 2018 | American University

Just before the Hungarian national election in 2014, Prime Minister Victor Orban declared his intention to build an illiberal state in Hungary. Orban said the “Hungarian nation is not a simple sum...

In Ukraine, Revolutionary Hopes and Democratic Limbo by Joseph Glandorf @ The Ohio State University

Mar 24, 2018 | Ohio State University

On March 3, police in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, forcibly dismantled a camp of anticorruption protesters outside the Ukrainian Parliament, resulting in a violent clash, about 20 injuries, and over 100...

Too Many Acts of Violence Involved in Sierra Leonean General Election, 2018, Hurt the Democracy in Sierra Leone by Lei Guo @ Ohio State University

Mar 24, 2018 | Ohio State University

On March 7th, the voting result of Sierra Leonean General Election, 2018 came out. Turned out, Julius Maada Bio from Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) got 43.3% of the total votes. Samura Kamara,...

Parliament vs President – Is decentralizing executive power actually harming Georgia’s democracy? By Aaron Riggins @ The Ohio State University

Mar 23, 2018 | Ohio State University

Georgia is no stranger to authoritarianism. A former soviet republic, the country has been staving off both domestic and foreign attempts to subvert its democracy for decades. In the last twenty...