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...

Femicides In Ecuador Weaken Foundations of Democracy

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

“Police kill, femicidal state” read the sign of a protestor standing outside of the Quito Police Headquarters on September 21st. The protest came as a response to news that...

Paraguay’s December Primary: Corruption, Assassinations, and Treaty Renegotiation

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

The history of democracy in Latin and South America has been tumultuous. In Paraguay, the ruling Colorado party is fraught with corruption and may lose its grip on power...

Will the Philippines Soon Turn Into a Dictatorship? by Nick Scheidler @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines, was sworn in on June 30th, 2016 becoming the 16th President of the Philippines. Duterte was elected after Benigno Aquino III and made very strong...

China No Chance of Developing Democracy By Jarron Silva, University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Pre Xi Jinping In recent years, when Hu Jintao was in power, there was some hope that China would be able to become a democracy. In fact, Hu and others pushed for china to become one. This is seen...

A Case Study of South Korea Rise and Fall in Anti-corruption Combats by Haocheng Bi @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

In late October 2016, Jay Y. Lee, the head of Samsung South Korea’s largest conglomerate, was reported to "have bribed totaling more than $36 million" to Choi Soon-sil, a long-time friend of...

Polish Democracy in Peril by Eric Sangret @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Democratic backsliding is increasingly becoming a concern in Eastern Europe, with some countries being issued harsh warnings from the European Union (EU). In the last three years, Poland has seen...

An Analysis of Democratic Erosion in Turkey by Joe Neuheisel @ UCLA

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

How can democracies survive and flourish? The question is interesting because so few have survived over the course of history. Our United States of America is a shining example of a democracy...

IMMIGRATION HELPS DEFINE OUR DEMOCRACY BY AINSLEE PRECIADO @ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA- LOS ANGELES

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

The immigration issue is a highly debated topic in the world today. People are moving from their homes for a myriad of reasons including but not limited to economic and health problems, wars and...

The Xi Dynasty Begins: China’s Xi Jinping Becomes Leader for Life By Blake Kazarian @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

In a historic vote, China's legislative body, the National People's Congress, voted to get rid of presidential term limits. The vote took place in Beijing's Great Hall of the People and resulted in...

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...