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.
Could the 2017 burning of Congress in Paraguay have led to the end years of Colorado Party dominance?
In 2017, protests erupted in Paraguay after President Horacio Cartes attempted to amend the constitution to allow for his re-election. Cartes’ influence over the Colorado Party— which has dominated Paraguayan politics for decades—has faced significant opposition due to corruption, bribery, and drug trafficking scandals, leading to public disillusionment with his party. The Colorado Party held onto power in 2023, but the lasting effects of Cartes’ actions may have provided enough fuel to the political fire to spark change in Paraguay.
The Unpaved Road Of Guatemala’s Democracy
Georgia’s Stolen Election: A Setback for Democracy and European Integration
El Salvador’s Security Crackdown: A Path to Authoritarianism?
In the last two years, El Salvador has witnessed an unprecedented state-led crackdown on gang violence under President Nayib Bukele. The policies, which include mass...
Senate Removals and Executive Power: How the Philippines Continues to Backslide on Democracy
Recent events in the Philippines demonstrate how democratic backsliding can be very slow and quiet, but still impactful. In particular, it shows how power and influence in...
Fighting for Redistricting Reform in 2024
In the heart of a pivotal election season, I had the opportunity to attend a redistricting reform meeting hosted by Common Cause Ohio. With the stakes at an all-time high—especially concerning Issue...
Populism and Gender: What’s the correlation?
It is no secret that populists — charismatic, strong-willed, and skilled at agitating a base — are increasingly consolidating political power. Today’s headlines are riddled with mentions of such...
“These Guys Are Weird”: How Overtly Anti-Democratic Ideology Made It From Online Forums to the Presidential Ticket
When now Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz spoke these titular words in reference to JD Vance, his opposition on the Republican ticket, the feeling resonated with many observers....
Loper Bright: How SCOTUS Undermined Democracy While America Looked The Other Way
For nearly a decade, much of the American public’s attention has been devoted to whether or not Donald Trump hopes to destroy American democracy. Opponents speak his name alongside a volley of...
Sheinbaum’s Folly: How a Weak State Undermines Mexico’s Democracy
Draped in the green, white and red of the Presidential Sash, Claudia Sheinbaum, 62, delivered her inaugural speech as Mexico’s 66th President. “We are a free, democratic, sovereign, and...
Impairing Amparo: How Recent Constitutional Changes Undermine Mexican Democracy
Journalists and democracy advocates sounded the alarm last month as former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador spent his final weeks in office pushing forward changes to the country’s...
Abortion Rights Are Fundamental to Democracy. Why Do Democracies Ban It?
In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, concluding that the U.S. Constitution does not provide federal protections for a woman’s right to choose. But in 2023, Mexico’s Supreme Court...
The Threat of JD Vance’s Populism to the Future of America
JD Vance has been called many things by many people since he was announced as Donald Trump’s Vice Presidential running mate three months ago. He is conservative and Republican, yes, as well as a...
Protecting Children: Populist Logic and the American Right
Across the United States, socially conservative policies that coalesce around the notion of protecting children have been increasingly proposed and established. From banning books to banning...