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.

Myanmar in Shambles with the Revival of the Death Penalty

Jun 9, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The Myanmar military government recently rejected appeals against the death sentencing of two prominent democracy activists in an effort to repress the anti-coup resistance....

Economic Inequality and Democratic Political Engagement

Jun 9, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

As one of the world's leading economies, the European economic model receives a lot of attention from experts, businesses, and investors. Compared to the U.S. economic...

The “Neighborhood Conversations”: A Positive Sign for Democratic Revitalization by Kasey Powers @ The Ohio State University

Mar 2, 2018 | Ohio State University

On January 31, 2018, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther held the first installment of his “Neighborhood Conversations” sessions at a community center on the city’s south side. The conversations were...

Ego Ergo Uh-Oh: Trump’s Preoccupation With Victory As A Marker of Democratic Backsliding by Hannah Hoey @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

The presidential election of November 2016 is not an event easily forgotten, and in fact remains a searingly fresh memory in many a mind; for some, however, it cannot be fresh enough. This week,...

Big Money Politics with the NRA: Are our children or our politician’s bank accounts more important? by Jane Huber @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

In the future, when I have kids, I want to drop them off at school and not worry about whether they will come home again. That is what parents are worrying about today. At elementary schools, middle...

Jennings v. Rodriguez signals frightening loss of rights by Wallace Anne Cloud @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

This past week was an incredible important one for the Supreme Court, particularly in the area of immigration, and concluded in a frightening loss of rights for legal immigrants. After several...

Consequences of Trump’s Populism: The Battleground of West Virginia by Dylan Quinn @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

Now entering its seventh day, West Virginian teachers and school service personnel continue to be on strike in every county in their state. Fighting for higher pay, more benefits, and pro-union...

DACA Repeal and Trump’s Populist Appeal by Anne Pfeifenberger @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

Discussion on immigration over the past year has been largely dominated by two topics: DACA and the wall. On the campaign trail, Donald Trump took the hard line on immigration and enforced his...

Why the “Common Good” of the Gun Control Debate Highlights America’s Democratic Flaw by Jake Hempel @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

Gun control has been on the hot seat of political discussion in the United States over the past decade, and with good reason. With recent events in Parkland, Florida, to the Sandy Hook tragedy in...

Is He for Gun Control or for Gun Rights? Losing Faith in Changing Opinions by Isabelle Bertolozzi @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

438. Since January of 2014, 438 people have been shot in a school shooting. 138 of those people died. That number does not even include the 20 first graders and six adults that were killed at Sandy...

Can Gun Control Return the Power to the People? by Wyeth Taylor @ Skidmore College

Mar 2, 2018 | Skidmore College

Today it is undeniable one of the most divisive issues in American politics is centered around gun control. It is a deeply partisan issue, with the core value of the Second Amendment struggling...