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.

Trump Stacked The Supreme Court: Roe v. Wade Is Just The Beginning

Jun 5, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Roe v. Wade is just one of the first casualties to come as a result of Trump’s brand of stealth authoritarianism and the gradual weakening of American democracy since his...

Poland’s Judiciary and Diplomacy As a Solution to Democratic Backsliding

Jun 5, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

There have been concerns about Poland’s democracy since the party of Law and Justice (PiS) came to power in 2015. The party has introduced legislation that restricts the...

March for Racial Justice, Rhode Island: Solidarity, Not Resistance by Cody Duane-McGlashan @ Brown University

Nov 17, 2017 | Brown University

As four of us from the class walked into India Point Park armed with a stack of surveys, clipboards, and pens on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I was struck by how laid back the whole event looked....

Conflicted Allyship Won’t Hurt Movement by Talia Brenner @ Brown University

Nov 16, 2017 | Brown University

The national March for Racial Justice (M4RJ), organized this summer, was planned for September 30. This is a significant date in Black American history, as it commemorates the 1919 Elaine Massacre,...

Prolonged State of Emergency Status May Lead to Democratic Backsliding in Mali by Molly Winders @ University of Memphis

Nov 15, 2017 | University of Memphis

Terrorism. This nine-letter word has become common in news stories and political discussions in recent years. For many, the word alone surfaces mental images of the Twin Towers, the Paris attacks,...

The Sisyphean Constraints of a Polarization-Era Protest. By Amalia Perez @ Brown University.

Nov 15, 2017 | Brown University

The steps of Rhode Island's state house rung electric on Sept 7, 2016, as hundreds gathered in protest against restrictive immigration policy and in support of DACA-mented individuals. The feverish...

When Life Gives You Lemons: How “the Resistance” is using its Political Power by Margo Blank @ Boston University

Nov 15, 2017 | Boston University

When Life Gives You Lemons: How “the Resistance” is using its Political Power On November 5, 2017 the New York Times published an opinion piece that concluded with the following statement: “The...

How New Media Chooses What Stories Are Being Told: The #MeToo Example by Kate Jamison @ Boston University

Nov 15, 2017 | Boston University

By Kate Jamison | Boston University In light of the recent #MeToo Campaign and all of the stories it has sparked, many are wondering: why now? What is it about our current political and...

Failure to Fix Electoral Shortcomings Risk Democratic Erosion by Lukas McMahon @BostonUniversity

Nov 15, 2017 | Boston University

Competitive elections are the bedrock of democracy, but America’s elections are being kept as uncompetitive as possible by party elites. Joseph Schumpeter defined democracy by its “means of a...

Jerry Brown… Trump’s Biggest Opponent by Lauren Hilliard @ Boston University

Nov 15, 2017 | Boston University

Jerry Brown… Trump’s Biggest Opponent Compromise sometimes seems next to impossible in today’s political climate. Increased teamsmanship makes gridlock seem inevitable. So, how can a political actor...

The Great “Firewall” of China By Yuanhao Yang @ Boston University

Nov 15, 2017 | Boston University

President Donald Trump has officially visited China and met the Chinese president Xi Jinping for the first time, and this caused wide discussion both in United States and China. One question that...