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.

A New Constitution, Is It the Antidote? by Ozge Danaci

Jun 7, 2022 | Koç University

Even though a constitutional change might be an effective way of handling the current crisis in Chile, it is contingent on other factors whether the new constitution can be...

In The Philippines: Real Election Undermined by False Tales

Jun 7, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The election of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, son of the previously ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. on May 9th poses a great threat to democracy and illustrates the...

Settler use of Privately-Owned Palestinian Land and Israeli Democracy by DH @ the University of Memphis

Nov 20, 2017 | University of Memphis

Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit, on Wednesday, reconfirmed Israeli Supreme Court’s decision that Israeli authorities could expropriate privately owned Palestinian land for public use for Jewish...

ELECTORAL BREAKDOWN IN KENYA: POLITICS OF DYNASTY & ETHNICITY by Grant Beatty @ University of Memphis

Nov 20, 2017 | University of Memphis

In Kenya, violence has again erupted after a second presidential election was held on October 26th, decided once more in favor of incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta. On November 17, several were...

A Chance for Change or an Unholy Union? The National Football League, Protests and Democratic Values by Hunter Irons @ University of Memphis

Nov 20, 2017 | University of Memphis

It has been almost fifteen months since Colin Kaepernick first protested the national anthem and started what has become a mega story in the spheres of sports and politics. While Kaepernick remains...

Beat them into Submission: Catalan Protest and the Move Towards Declaring Independence By Shemaiah J. Moss @ University of Memphis

Nov 20, 2017 | University of Memphis

The resurgence of political protests in the United States seemed to be an anomaly to the less politically engaged citizens, but they along with the rest of the world began to realize that political...

Iceland: A Fumbling Government by Jordan Aulfinger @ University of Memphis

Nov 19, 2017 | University of Memphis

Iceland's government is in disarray. A month after its most recent election it is struggling to do basic things like decide which members of parliament will hold the various minister positions,...

Rohingya Refugee Crisis and the Impact on Bangladeshi Democracy by Cayna Sharp @ University of Memphis

Nov 19, 2017 | University of Memphis

On August 25th it is reported that a small militant group called the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) attacked police and government soldiers. Since this attack, the Myanmar military has...

Threats against the Media in Bulgaria: The Beginning of the End of Democracy? by Victoria Potts @ University of Memphis

Nov 18, 2017 | University of Memphis

The journalists of Bulgaria regularly experience pressure from politicians to censor their questions and their stories. High-ranking officials openly threaten journalists' jobs to ensure their...

“Recalibrating” African Militaries: A new democratic hope for Burkina Faso after all? by Bradly Knox @ University of Memphis

Nov 17, 2017 | University of Memphis

From Enigma to a Stigma A column written for Foreign Policy magazine asks, ever so frankly, Why Are Africa’s Militaries So Disappointingly Bad? A variety of explanations could be drafted to explain...