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.

The Erosion of an Already Weak Democracy: The Rise and Fall of Jovenel Moïse

Jovenel Moïse's presidency marked a dangerous shift from Haiti's already shaky democracy to overt authoritarianism. Delayed elections, unchecked abuse of executive power, and violent suppression of resistance became the norm. By the time of his assassination in 2021,...

Undermining the Feedback Loop: How Trump’s Educational Policies Hinder Democratic Accountability

In a larger trend of censoring opinions which the Trump administration views as undesirable, the Trump administration’s actions towards schools and universities has a negative impact on democracy as a whole. Such a system depends on the free transmission of...

Democracy Six Feet Under: How Disinformation is Burying Philippine Democracy Alive

Philippine democracy is in great danger once again now that the two families who benefited the most from disinformation – the Marcoses and Dutertes, are in power and have turned against one another. As both camps sling disinformation against each other, the...

Democratic Erosion in Japan: A Silent Crisis

Feb 14, 2025 | Boston University

Japan is often praised as a stable democracy; however, a closer look at its political and economic landscape reveals troubling signs of democratic backsliding. From...

The Foreshadowing of Elon: What DOGE Says About the Trump Administration

Feb 14, 2025 | Boston University

So far, the return of the Trump administration has been a flurry of activity with over 60 executive orders ranging in subject matter from immigration reform to climate...

Generational Divide: How US Politicians Cater to Seniors, Leaving Younger Voters Behind

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

The United States is a country with a rapidly aging population. According to the United States Census Bureau, the percentage of the population aged 65 years or older is expected to increase from 16%...

Discussing Gerrymandering in the United States

May 2, 2023 | University of Utah

Many Americans take no note of the redistricting process that takes place every ten years within each state; but I argue that we should be paying close attention. Redistricting is simply the way...

Brazil: Democratic Erosion and State-Sponsored Political Violence

May 2, 2023 | University of Utah

Researchers posit that increases in certain types of political violence can encourage democratic erosion. Indeed, the analysis of one research study concludes that state-sponsored (or condoned)...

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro: Petty, or a Danger to Democracy?

May 1, 2023 | University of Utah

In October 2021, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil’s run-off presidential election. Months later, thousands of pro-Bolsonaro rioters stormed Praça dos...

Examining the Resurgence and Dangers of White Christian Nationalism in America

May 1, 2023 | University of Utah

On January 6th, 2021, millions around the world had their eyes glued to the T.V. as thousands of insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol. This attempted coup—as many call it—did not happen by...

Plan B: The Erosion of the Mexican Electoral System

May 1, 2023 | University of Utah

Last February, Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) received massive criticism for recently approved electoral reforms that seek to undermine Mexico’s most renowned independent...

Voters Behind Bars: How Felon Disenfranchisement Weakens American Democracy

Apr 30, 2023 | University of Utah

The disenfranchisement of felons is paving the way for America’s democratic backsliding. Repealing these undemocratic laws will help to reinvigorate the American electorate’s investment in...

Leveraging External Issues to Support Democracy: How the Fight for Abortion Rights Protected Democracy in Wisconsin

Apr 28, 2023 | University of Utah

In 2010, Republicans won a series of state legislative races in Wisconsin which allowed for them to redraw district lines to their own advantage; this strategy cemented their power in the state for...

The Greater Idaho Movement is Tearing Oregon Apart

Apr 27, 2023 | University of Utah

In the minds of most Americans, states are indissoluble bodies, bound by ties stronger even than those which bind the Union herself. Even in times where talk of secession has become cheap once...