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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Food Security is Rooted Abroad

Global fertilizer supply chains connect geopolitical events abroad to food production at home in ways most consumers don’t see.

The Meaning of Silence : What the moment of silence for Melissa Hortman says about American democracy

On June 14, 2025, the lives of Melissa Hortman who was a House speaker in Minnesota and her husband Mark were taken in what authorities believe to be a politically motivated act of violence. The same day Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and...

Buying Injustice: The Hidden Harms of this Act.

Are we looking to create a thriving society, or are we allowing fear into the lives of immigrant families? As new immigration policies appear, the question become, how do we prevent the changes that involve separating families and dismantling the place that...

Combatting Russian Disinformation: Estonia’s Response to the War in Ukraine

Aug 13, 2023 | Arizona State University

Co-authored by Sofia Walsh and David Thompson The war in Ukraine was a central theme in the March 2023 Estonian election. Like Ukraine, Estonia has a fraught history with...

Russian Influence Efforts and the ‘Russophobia’ Narrative in the Baltic States; Evidence from Latvia and Georgia.

Jul 27, 2023 | Arizona State University

Co-Authored by Aiselyn Anaya-Hall and John Kaye Since long before the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the world, and particularly the...

Planned Parenthood’s Continued Resistance is Encouragingly Strategic by Madeleine Haas @ Ohio State University

Mar 9, 2018 | Ohio State University

The success of our democracy is predicated upon the civil debate and civic engagement of our people. Thus, the existence of organizations that challenge the parties and politicians in power is a...

Opening Democratic Discourse: Socialist Activism as an Antidote to Alienation in a Two-Party System by Sarah Stradling @ Ohio State University

Mar 9, 2018 | Ohio State University

What started out as a few young students setting up a ring of church folding chairs slowly turned into a crowded circle of Columbus community members. They were all there to attend a weekly...

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...