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...

How Claims of Fraudulent Elections Threaten Trust in American Democracy

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

Trump supporters at a 'stop the steal' protest in Atlanta, Georgia In the past few years, the United States has experienced unprecedented levels of claims of a fraudulent or...

How Gerrymandering Happens and the Threat it Poses

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

Gerrymandering is one of the most divisive issues in the United States, and for good reason. In fact, in 2021 CNN reported that voters consider gerrymandering to be biggest...

Recent Events Expose Trumpism as Example of the Risks of Populism by Austin Albertson @ Skidmore College

Mar 1, 2018 | Skidmore College

It is of little doubt that President Trump is a populist, and that “Trumpism” is simply his brand of populism. His campaign strategy and rhetoric reflected all the major signs of populist appeal:...

THE OLD GODS ARE DEAD: Rampant Corruption within Greece’s Failing Democracy by Ian Fowler @ GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Mar 1, 2018 | Georgia State University

The first democracy was born during the 6th century in Athens, Greece, now almost 1,500 years later this democracy is dying. Greece is currently struggling to maintain the traditions it helped found...

Supreme Courts ruling against immigration rights is embedded on populist beliefs.

Mar 1, 2018 | Skidmore College

The Supreme Court ruled against immigration rights with a 5-3 rule that non-citizens, and permanent residents will face deportation and the immigrants are not required to have a bond hearing if they...

Democracy is not just a Man’s Game: Why Duterte Should Take a Course on Women’s Rights By Minch Cerrero @ University of the Philippines, Diliman

Feb 28, 2018 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

The President recently aroused public reaction by equating the essence of a woman to a functional vagina. In front of more than 200 former communist rebels, the President said, “Tell the soldiers,...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Food Security is Rooted Abroad

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

Buying Injustice: The Hidden Harms of this Act.

How Claims of Fraudulent Elections Threaten Trust in American Democracy

How Gerrymandering Happens and the Threat it Poses

Recent Events Expose Trumpism as Example of the Risks of Populism by Austin Albertson @ Skidmore College

THE OLD GODS ARE DEAD: Rampant Corruption within Greece’s Failing Democracy by Ian Fowler @ GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Supreme Courts ruling against immigration rights is embedded on populist beliefs.

Democracy is not just a Man’s Game: Why Duterte Should Take a Course on Women’s Rights By Minch Cerrero @ University of the Philippines, Diliman

The Gun Violence Protest Movement Will be a Democratic Litmus Test by Lindsey Powell @ University of Pennsylvania

Liberalism and the Battle Against Anti-Democratic Trends by Shravan Balaji @ University of Pennsylvania

The Populist Dilemma by Oluwabomi Fagbemi @ University of Pennsylvania

It’s good for American democracy that Trump’s hiring freeze failed by Marissa Kelly @ Ohio State University

Judicial Independence at Risk in Pennsylvania by Rachel Pomerantz @ University of Pennsylvania

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