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.

Protecting Democracy: Indigenous-led Social Movements in Guatemala 2023

Through Indigenous leadership, Guatemalans successfully resisted a competitive authoritarian regime, ensuring a peaceful transition of power following the 2023 election of Bernardo Arévalo. Democratic resurgence in Guatemala occurred in 2023 because a broad pro-democracy coalition capitalized on regime errors and overreach, resisting these authoritarian tactics through nonviolent civil resistance.

A Nobel Laureate Suspended, A Journalist Jailed: Tunisia’s Slide into Competitive Authoritarianism

On April 24, 2026, Tunisian President Kais Saied’s government suspended the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH). This organization shared the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for its role in saving the country’s democratic transition. The same day, authorities detained Zied...

On the ousting of Orbán

On the lessons learned from Orbán’s ouster.

The 2026 Midterms as an Institutional Test

Apr 18, 2026 | Boston University

The upcoming 2026 midterm elections are being framed as a referendum on the current executive agenda. But to view them merely though the lens of policy preference is to miss...

The loss of trust in the MAGA movement by young conservatives

Apr 18, 2026 | Salem State University, Uncategorized

According to several news outlets, the March 25-28 Conservative Political Action Conference, more commonly known as CPAC, was poorly attended by the younger conservatives...

The Myth of a Strong Leader—When Fear Drives Philippines’ Democracy Down

May 5, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

“I would stop drugs, crime, and criminality in three to six months” -Rodrigo Duterte in his 2016 Presidential Campaign The Philippines has long grappled with maintaining order and stability, often...

The Price of Press: Exposing the Fragility of Philippine Media In the 2025 Senatorial Elections

May 4, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Lights, Camera, Action—A line that we usually hear in show business and filmmaking. In this industry, actors desperately compete to get their much-desired “screen time,” show their potential, and...

There’s no Greater Riches than (Extended Political) Families: Filipinos’ Pakikisama and the Perpetuation of Political Dynasties in the Philippines

May 3, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Filipinos place utmost importance on their families, the foundation of our nation. Because of this, it is no surprise that the family finds its place in all levels of the country’s social and...

The Guest List of Autocracy: Why Authoritarian Leaders Line Up for a Piece of Russia’s History

May 2, 2025 | Tartu University

In recent years, each 9th of May, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport welcomes very specific types of guests. Not tourists—but presidents, prime ministers and other notable guests from across the...

When Democracy Erodes, LGBTQ+ Rights Are the First to Suffer

May 1, 2025 | Tulane University

When democratic norms break down, the most vulnerable communities suffer first, and most deeply. In the United States, recent political shifts have exposed just how fragile civil rights can become...

The Ruling Family: How Political Dynasties Are Destroying Democracy in the Philippines

May 1, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Same names, same problems. In every Philippine election, the same names dominate the ballots—Marcos, Duterte, Tolentino, Tulfo, Cayetano, Villar, and Revilla. Over 70% of incumbent officials come...

Politics and Populism Brazil: Increasing Polarization

May 1, 2025 | Featured, University of Memphis

Populism has played an important role in the shaping of Brazilian politics over the past century. An approach that pits "the people" against "the elite," populism thrives under conditions of...

Populist or President… ?

May 1, 2025 | University of Memphis

Populist or President… ? Donald Trump is significantly taking us backward.With the growing centralization of wealth and political influence within the...

How Modi Turned Culture into a Political Weapon

Apr 30, 2025 | Tulane University

Image of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at a BJP rally. The lotus symbol, central to the BJP’s identity, is prominently displayed on the podium. I remember sitting on the couch...