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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

A Green Card Once Meant Protection: Now it is Fear

A Green Card Once Meant Protection: Now it is Fear By Fotios E. Meimeteas Imagine you are a single mother in the United States, raising four children who depend on you. You have established a new life, built a home, paid taxes, and lived in the United States for...

Food Security is Rooted Abroad

Global fertilizer supply chains connect geopolitical events abroad to food production at home in ways most consumers don’t see.

The Meaning of Silence : What the moment of silence for Melissa Hortman says about American democracy

On June 14, 2025, the lives of Melissa Hortman who was a House speaker in Minnesota and her husband Mark were taken in what authorities believe to be a politically motivated act of violence. The same day Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and...

Democratic Destruction Around The World

Nov 21, 2023 | University of Memphis

How often has it been publicized that a government leader takes their powers to the next level? More than likely every leader that even ran a country at some point has...

Can Workplace Democracy Save American Democracy?

Nov 21, 2023 | Northeastern University

United States work stoppages and organized labor activity in 2023 are reaching a level not seen in decades, as hundreds of thousands of workers across the country take to...

Demystifying Democracy: Understanding Rhode Island House Rules

Feb 5, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

Many in Rhode Island vote for their representative, but few know the ins and outs of the House of representatives. The mission of the organization Common Cause is...

On the Path of Spotting Hope in Our Democracy

Feb 5, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

Today, our democracy is more accessible to us than ever. While cases of exceptions to the political inclusion still exist, people of all races, beliefs, and genders are all given the rights to...

Mystifying Democracy by Summer Zheng

Feb 5, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

Are the speakers of the Rhode Island House dictatorial wolves concealed underneath a democratic sheep skin? Are the speakers of the Rhode Island House dictatorial wolves concealed underneath a...

Polish Polarization and Conspiracy: Social Media, Democratic Decay, and the Construction of Separate Worlds.

Feb 5, 2019 | American University

By Conor Gleeson The Polish authoritarian-friendly government led by the Law and Justice Party has created an environment conducive to spreading institutional distrust, anti-Semetic conspiracies,...

Democracy in Open Meetings of the City of Providence by Mook Lim

Feb 5, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

It is citizens’ own right and obligation to participate in state and local government. Citizens’ active engagement in the governance will be able to foster better changes in the environment of the...

Referral 3442- Petition to amend the definition of rehabilitation center in a regular meeting by Luna Kim

Feb 5, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

On January 29th, 2019 at 5:30 PM, the Committee on Ordinances held a regular meeting at 25 Dorrance Street, Providence City Hall to discuss various projects happening in the city as well as...

Power Imbalance and Representative Democracy in Rhode Island House of Representatives by Yifan Wang

Feb 4, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

On January 23rd, Common Cause Rhode Island held its “Demystifying Democracy” at the Dwares Jewish Community Center. Common Cause Rhode Island is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes...

Democracy and the Experience of Incarceration In The U.S. and Syria by Abbi Kenny

Feb 4, 2019 | Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design

Entering Brown University’s Stephen Robert Hall was an overwhelming ordeal, the hall was buzzing with activity from students, faculty, and guests as everyone prepared for the evening’s discussion....

A Defining Moment for Press in the United States by Eugene Rhee

Feb 4, 2019 | Rhode Island School of Design

Tensions between the press and figures in power, especially the wealthy, have always been present. However, after watching the documentary, “Nobody Speaks: Trials of the Free Press”, which was...