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.

First 100 Days, More Like First 100 Hours: How Trump’s First 100 Days Played Out Against Trump’s Second 100 Hours

Indiana Senator Jim Banks, a staunch Trump ally, predicted that President Trump’s return to power would be characterized by “shock and awe.” In many ways, the events of President Trump’s first 100 hours in office during his second term have lived up to that promise....

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...

The “Overturning” of Roe V Wade: A Pro-Democratic Process Ruling?

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

In delivering the opinion of the court on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito states: “Abortion presents a profound moral issue...

The Polarization and Politicization of the US Supreme Court

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

The Supreme Court, as an institution, has endured many changes — from the expansion of the court in 1790 from seven to nine justices, to the court packing plan attempted by...

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...

Maduro is No Chávez: Death of Demoracy in Venezuela by Adja Hudson @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Since 2012, Venezuela’s economic condition has been on a downward spiral and the country is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. The political climate has worsened as democracy is continually...

Hugo Chavez; Populism aiding Democratic Erosion by Marcella Pensamiento @UCLA

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Many argue that Venezuela’s current state of democracy is directly linked to Hugo Chavez’s leftovers as a 15 year president. Specifically, Chavez’s changes of the political agents in power are...

How Hugo Chavez killed Democracy in Venezuela

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Hugo Chavez was Venezuela’s most successful president and democracy’s worst nightmare. His socialist rhetoric and policies were the catalyst for a devastating democratic backslide in Venezuela....

Analyzing the Democratic Erosion in Turkey by Joshua Varela @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

On July 15, 2016, an event occurred in Turkey that rarely occurs in mature democracies. The Turkish armed forces initiated a coup d’état against Turkish governmental institutions, namely Turkish...