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...

Which Pandemic is Worse: COVID-19 or the Spread of Misinformation?

Sep 30, 2022 | Ohio State University

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, was (and still is) a virus that has taken the lives of over four million people in the last three years. The virus spreads through the...

Using Lawsuits to Silence the Press — How and Why This is Concerning

Sep 30, 2022 | Ohio State University

Freedom of Speech is a right that Americans have held dearly since our nation’s founding. Codified in the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment importantly guarantees American...

Thailand: The consequences of a disloyal opposition by Lam Chi Tun @ Columbia University

Feb 14, 2018 | Columbia University

On the 10th of February, around 400 protestors gathered near the Democracy Monument in Bangkok to protest against the military junta currently ruling Thailand. They called on the military rulers to...

Lending an Ear to Ukrainian Populism

Feb 14, 2018 | Columbia University

As Ukraine waits to recover from the social unrest sparked by 2014’s Maidan Revolution and pro-Russian unrest in the Donbas region, it has become painfully evident that eradicating the corrupt...

Media Attack in Namibia: A Symbol of Democratic Erosion by Ebenezer Akomolafe @ University of Memphis

Nov 28, 2017 | University of Memphis

Namibia is one of the youngest democracies in Africa, is also among the top leading countries in terms of freedom of the press since her independent in 1990. During the colonial administration, laws...

The Filibuster and the Courts: How Bureaucracy Prevents Democratic Erosion by Dakota Fenn @ Brown University

Nov 27, 2017 | Brown University

When we think of the filibuster, we likely alternatively picture a glorious stand against the tyranny of the majority, or a waste of time created by obstructionist opposition to progress. Obviously,...

So you want to weaken your civil society? Cut off its foreign funding. By Victor Brechenmacher @ Brown University

Nov 26, 2017 | Brown University

On Saturday, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill forcing all foreign-funded media in Russia to register as 'foreign agents.' The move echoes a 2012 Russian law asking the same of...

“Philippines’s President Rodrigo Duterte War on Drugs, Populist or Hero?” by Allante’ Boykin @University of Memphis

Nov 21, 2017 | University of Memphis

Since the fairly new President Rodrigo Duterte has been elected into office last June, he has been on a binge to cleanse the country of drugs and addiction. Duterte's war on drugs has claimed 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...