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...

Trump’s Threat to American Democracy Should Have Been Predictable

Oct 12, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

How did we get here? How did the United States come so close to the overturning of a democratic election that has guaranteed the peaceful transfer of power for almost 250...

Democratic Erosion in South Africa

Oct 12, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

https://mg.co.za/opinion/2022-09-16-the-state-of-democracy-in-south-africa-is-cause-for-concern/ Since the beginning of the 21st century to mid-2000s, South Africa has been...

Civic Engagement as a Building Block for a Greater Resistance Movement by Abby Nutter @ Ohio State University

Mar 8, 2018 | Ohio State University

In light of the election of President Trump there has been an increase in participation in civil society groups that resist the president’s agenda. This expansion of participation has been met with...

The Parkland Youth Are Succeeding. So Can Black Lives Matter. By Thomas Baumgarten @ Ohio State University

Mar 8, 2018 | Ohio State University

Protests and social movements are centerpieces of American democracy. In the past, certain rights for women, blacks, and gays and lesbians were all attained through the process of successful...

“SURJ”ing Ahead for Democracy by Ron Fornaro @ Ohio State University

Mar 8, 2018 | Ohio State University

Polarization is a real threat to democracy[1], and civic groups like Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) can play an important role in closing the gap between groups by trying to correct polarized...

Are all non-violent protests effective? by Ricky Cutlip @ Ohio State University

Mar 8, 2018 | Ohio State University

Erica Chenoweth argues that non-violent protests are more effective than violent ones in her protesting Donald Trump article. With this in mind, is a certain type of non-violent protest better than...

The Power of Protest: Democratic Strength Displayed at the Cleveland Women’s March by Cassandra Dula @ The Ohio State University

Mar 8, 2018 | Ohio State University

“Where do I even start?” This is what read on a large sign at the 2018 Cleveland Women’s March, fashioned out of a piece of cardboard and written in bold, black letters. On January 20th, hundreds of...

Lessons from a Safe Conversation about Race by Garrett Rethman @ Ohio State University

Mar 8, 2018 | Ohio State University

On Thursday, March 1st, the Bexley Public Library held the final discussion in the series Safe Conversations about Race. The program had a lofty goal, with a mission “to increase levels of...

A Warrior for Public Will: Planned Parenthood and the Eroded Legislature by Mackenzie Patrick @ The Ohio State University

Mar 7, 2018 | Ohio State University

The U.S. legislature is killing popular sovereignty. Planned Parenthood is working to save it. Since 1916, Planned Parenthood has been providing healthcare for primarily low-income, minority...

“A Certain Sort of Political Justice”: An Interview with Zack Space by Joseph Glandorf @ The Ohio State University

Mar 7, 2018 | Ohio State University

Zack Space wants to help restore American democracy from one of the last places you’d expect: the desk of the Ohio State Auditor. I'm an intern on Space’s campaign this semester. In lieu of...

Undemocratic America: How Gerrymandering is Diminishing the US Democracy by Ra’Shad Johnson @Georgia State University

Mar 7, 2018 | Georgia State University

The democratic gem, the United States, is undergoing extensive backsliding due in part to gerrymandering. Gerrymandering by definition means to divide - to divide a state into districts as to...