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...

Instability: The New Bulgarian Status Quo

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Much like the constant state of Israeli politics in recent years, Bulgarians voted on October 2nd for the fourth time in less than two years. The snap election, triggered by...

Fraud in Zambia: Can Investigating Corruption Hurt Democracy?

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Zambia's democracy needs a savior, and many believe that savior just might be the newly elected President Hichilema. Since his election in 2021, Hichilema's Zambia has seen...

Democratic erosion in the Philippines

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Democratic erosion begins when the values, institutions and characteristics of democracy are challenged. The approach that most political scientists use when determining if a country is a democracy...

Brexit And The Evident Signs of Democratic Erosion. By Austin Roberts @ University of California Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

On June 26th, 2016 The officials of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union effective March 29, 2019. This decision rocked the political world and is set to reshape the nation’s place...

Implications of Foreign Intervention Through Syrian Sanctions by Pallavi Adapa @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

In March of 2011, Syria underwent a civil war. Following this turbulent event, there was considerable oppression of the Syrian citizens by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Protests were forcibly...

UNDER THE GUISE OF DEMOCRACY: Chavez’s Populism to Maduro’s Authoritarianism by Uma Vaingankar @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

RIDING IN ON A LOW Hugo Chavez rose to power in Venezuela almost two decades ago in the midst of public distrust and discontentment with the Venezuelan government and judiciary. In 1992, Presidente...

Is there really such a thing as ‘good’ Populism? How the latest election in the Netherlands influences democratic erosion in the region. By Isabella Mullen @ UCLA

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Even though it looks like it gained a win in the United States in 2016, populism has seen comparable setbacks in the rest of the world. Le pen in France, Maduro in Venezuela, and Frauke Petry in...

South Korea’s 2017 Presidential Election and Foreign Threats: Is Democracy in Danger? by Hannah Kim @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

SOUTH KOREA'S 2017 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND FOREIGN THREATS: IS DEMOCRACY IN DANGER? BY HANNAH KIM @ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES South Korea has experienced subjugation at the hands of...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

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

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

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

Instability: The New Bulgarian Status Quo

Fraud in Zambia: Can Investigating Corruption Hurt Democracy?

Democratic erosion in the Philippines

Brexit And The Evident Signs of Democratic Erosion. By Austin Roberts @ University of California Los Angeles

Implications of Foreign Intervention Through Syrian Sanctions by Pallavi Adapa @ University of California, Los Angeles

UNDER THE GUISE OF DEMOCRACY: Chavez’s Populism to Maduro’s Authoritarianism by Uma Vaingankar @ University of California, Los Angeles

Is there really such a thing as ‘good’ Populism? How the latest election in the Netherlands influences democratic erosion in the region. By Isabella Mullen @ UCLA

South Korea’s 2017 Presidential Election and Foreign Threats: Is Democracy in Danger? by Hannah Kim @ University of California, Los Angeles

Unconventional Hero? by Harriet Ferrer @ University of California, Los Angeles

Populist-Authoritarian Leader in the Philippines

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