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 blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Donald Trump’s NSPM-7 Follows Domestic and International Trends In Stealth Authoritarian Power Grabs

President Donald Trump’s recent National Security Memorandum dramatically expands his ability to persecute political enemies, following a trend of erosion of democratic rule that mirrors other developments in U.S politics directed by the president and his supporters.

How Bosnia’s Postwar Framework Made Dodik Inevitable

Nearly thirty years after Dayton, Bosnia’s power-sharing system continues to institutionalize the very divisions it promised to resolve.

The Trump Administration’s Recent Attacks on First Amendment Rights May Mirror Viktor Orban’s Autocratic Ruling Style

Similarities between Donald Trump and Viktor Orban’s populist leadership styles may have dangerous ramifications for the health of the United States’ democracy.

Who are supplying Guns for Haiti’s Escalating Violence?

Oct 19, 2025 | Arizona State University

Although steps have been taken to restore democracy in Haiti with the appointment of a governing Transitional Presidential Council, violence continues to escalate...

Serbia, Serbian Orthodox Church and Twin Tolerations

Oct 19, 2025 | Arizona State University

The relationship between religion and democracy is a complex one, which makes the interaction between religious communities and the state particularly nuanced. At times,...

Redefining the West: How JD Vance’s Speech in Munich became a Turning Point in Transatlantic Politics

May 6, 2025 | Tartu University

On February 14, 2025, JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, addressed the Munich Security Conference. This conference is one of the world’s most important forums on international...

How to Control What You Cannot Have: China’s Strategic Use of Disinformation to Undermine Taiwanese Democracy

May 6, 2025 | Featured, Tulane University

We understand democratic erosion as democratically elected leaders eroding the mechanisms of fair democracy after entering office. What happens when the threat is external? As the percentage of...

Still Waiting in Line: How Emotional Disconnection and Democratic Erosion Shaped the 2024 Election.

May 5, 2025 | Tulane University

The most dangerous threat to democracy is a story that convinces people they no longer need it. By weaponizing grievances, channeling emotional disconnection, and positioning himself as the only one...

Trash-talking democracy to remain in power: Costa Rica’s changing political landscape

May 5, 2025 | Tulane University

The election of populist President Rodrigo Chaves in 2022 has called into question Costa Rica’s reputation for democratic stability and peaceful tradition. As reflected in recent events, the group...

Trump’s War on Education Is Undermining Democracy

May 5, 2025 | Tulane University

“Public education is the very foundation of good citizenship.” This statement, famously declared by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education, still resonates today. If it’s true, then what...

You Are Never Supposed to Matter: How Philippine Democracy Excludes You by Design

May 5, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Every six years, politicians hand you a ballot and call it “power.” They flood your feeds with campaign jingles, slap posters on every wall, and tell you, “The future is in your hands.” They tell...

The Myth of a Strong Leader—When Fear Drives Philippines’ Democracy Down

May 5, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

“I would stop drugs, crime, and criminality in three to six months” -Rodrigo Duterte in his 2016 Presidential Campaign The Philippines has long grappled with maintaining order and stability, often...

The Price of Press: Exposing the Fragility of Philippine Media In the 2025 Senatorial Elections

May 4, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Lights, Camera, Action—A line that we usually hear in show business and filmmaking. In this industry, actors desperately compete to get their much-desired “screen time,” show their potential, and...

There’s no Greater Riches than (Extended Political) Families: Filipinos’ Pakikisama and the Perpetuation of Political Dynasties in the Philippines

May 3, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Filipinos place utmost importance on their families, the foundation of our nation. Because of this, it is no surprise that the family finds its place in all levels of the country’s social and...