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...

India’s Democratic Crisis

Feb 14, 2025 | Boston University

Being named the world’s largest democracy with over 1.4 billion people in population size, its democratic nature is seemingly dying a slow death. The gradual decline of...

The Illusion of Democracy: The Clash Between Capitalist Interests and the Promise of Equality in American Politics

Feb 14, 2025 | Boston University

Cyrus Sadr Professor Steven Rosenzweig Democratic Erosion 2/8/25 The Illusion of Democracy: The Clash Between Capitalist Interests and the Promise of Equality in American...

Trump, Narrative, and Public Perception: How to Erode Democratic Guardrails

Apr 11, 2023 | Rollins College

Narrative is reality and the recent arraignment of President Trump shows just how powerful populists' use of it can be. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)...

Drilling into Democracy: How the Willow Project Exposes US Democratic Erosion

Apr 11, 2023 | Rollins College

Despite widespread concern about climate change and environmental degradation, President Biden’s approval of the Willow Project in Alaska has alarmed young people and environmental groups. The...

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 citizens do not have the...

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 and conspiracy, but the...

Netanyahu: The Threat to Israel’s Democracy

Apr 11, 2023 | Rollins College

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu In the past year, tensions between Palestine and Israel have begun to deepen and spiral into large problems of violence and resentment. In the past year or...

Donald Trump’s Populism Influence on the January 6th Storming of the Capitol

Apr 10, 2023 | Rollins College

Photo by Jane Norman (2021) https://lailluminator.com/2021/05/19/u-s-house-oks-commission-to-probe-capitol-attack-but-mcconnell-objections-may-doom-it/ January 6th, 2021 was a significant day...

Why the ATF’s Pistol Brace Ruling Hurts

Apr 10, 2023 | University of Utah

On the January 13th, 2023 the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives signed a new rule that could make millions of Americans felons overnight. Rule 2021R-08F amends how the ATF interprets...

The Isolation of Successful Immigrants by Isabel Canamary Otoch

Apr 10, 2023 | Rollins College

Why So Many Children of Immigrants Rise to the Top [1] by Peter Coy reflects on the findings of two economists, Professor Abramitzky and Professor Boustan, displayed in their book, "Streets of Gold:...

Is American Democracy Backsliding?

Apr 10, 2023 | Rollins College

Vucci, Evan. AP News. https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/656bfaa6bbb53b98a58c29bebb769f0d04500b1b/0_63_5074_3045/master/5074.jpg?width=645&quality=45&dpr=2&s=none Hi, guys! I am Zubair...