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...

The Rights Of Utahns Are In Danger

Apr 11, 2023 | University of Utah

The Utah Constitution should be amended to make it impossible for state legislatures to repeal, replace or change initiatives passed by citizens. Although, some may argue...

Disinformation and Democracy: Why Local News Sources Matter

Apr 11, 2023 | Rollins College

In Jamelle Bouie’s article, “Disinformation Is Not the Real Problem with Democracy,” he argues that democratic backsliding in the U.S. is not the result of misinformation...

The Culture of Silence on Sexual Harassment is Broken and Women are the New Political Actors by Dorothy Spector @ Boston University

Nov 14, 2017 | Boston University

Due to the media’s exposure of Harvey Weinstein’s history of sexual misconduct, a new awareness of sexual harassment and consciousness of male power abuse has been created. For years women have...

Polarization and Pokemon Go? by Naba Khan @ Boston University

Nov 14, 2017 | Boston University

In the months since November 2016, countless news sources have reported Russian interference in the American election. The stories behind this manipulation vary. One Russian group pretended to be a...

Looking beyond Laws: Lessons from Activists in Pawtucket by Micah Rosen @ Brown University

Nov 14, 2017 | Brown University

It is easy to think of democracy in terms of laws and policies. If everyone is allowed to participate in a democracy, then even if they do not, how could democracy be threatened? But as my...

Mr. Thirty Percent: How did Abe Manage to Win Reelection? by Jonathan Silin @ Brown University

Nov 14, 2017 | Brown University

In my previous post, I discussed the fact that while Abe employs populist-leaning tendencies in his policymaking, he himself is not a populist. Nevertheless, Abe’s rule has not been benign for...

Reflections on Public Service and Democracy with Preet Bharara by Matthew Jarrell @ Brown University

Nov 14, 2017 | Brown University

John Adams famously wrote that the infant United States, as a new republic, was a nation of laws and not of men—by which he presumably meant no single personality, no matter how large or formidable,...

Trump’s Changes to the Judiciary Could Pose Some Threat to Democracy by Anna Spier @ Boston University

Nov 13, 2017 | Boston University

During the year that Donald Trump has been in office, plans have been made to reshape the federal appeals court with younger judges whose beliefs are more conservative. Trump, who entered the office...

President Trump’s Election Commission: Enforcing a Narrative or Pushing Antidemocratic Policy? By Chance Rogala @ Boston University

Nov 13, 2017 | Boston University

Throughout his candidacy and Presidency, President Donald Trump has made statements like “Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire, and California – so why isn’t the media reporting on this?...

How Empowering the Freedom of Speech Has Been Throughout this Wave of Sexual Violence Accusations by Maxine Moore @ Boston University

Nov 13, 2017 | Boston University

The freedom of the press is a fundamental right ensured by the First Amendment of the Constitution. It is at the forefront of democracy. The First Amendment is twofold: it ensures the freedom of...

One Providence? Using an Interfaith Forum to Confront Polarization by Isabela Karibjanian @ Brown University

Nov 13, 2017 | Brown University

At just after 6 pm on Wednesday, November 1, Providence Mayor Jorge D. Elorza’s first Interfaith Forum began. Thirty to forty community members from a wide range of ages and faith groups packed into...