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.

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.

Hungary’s Legal Coup: How Viktor Orbán is Rewriting Democracy in Slow Motion

Hungary's erosion of democracy is occurring in courts, parliament and the wording of new laws, not in protests and demonstrations. Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party has been creating institutions in Hungary since more than ten years ago, and currently, Fidesz has created a...

The Fragility of Federal Agencies: Why the National Institutes of Health Is at Risk

The selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services brought with it drastic changes in public health, specifically through the National Institutes of Health.

Populism and Authoritarianism in Venezuela

Apr 17, 2025 | Boston University

Cyrus Sadr Democratic Erosion Professor Steven Rosenzweig 4/9/25 Populism and Authoritarianism in Venezuela The 2024 election of Nicolas Maduro is widely...

The Erosion of Democracy: Sending U.S. Citizens to El Salvador

Apr 17, 2025 | Boston University

The idea floated by former President Trump to deport “homegrown criminals”—U.S. citizens—to a maximum security prison in El Salvador is a troubling sign of democratic...

Crackdown of the Civil Society in Belarus

Jul 24, 2023 | Arizona State University

By Carly Chabrier and Veera Tyhtilä On 23 July 2021, the Ministry of Justice of Belarus forced 43 non-governmental organizations to close and terminate all their activities. Among the...

May 4, 2023 | University of Utah

On a seemingly normal day, America witnessed a threat to democracy. As Joe Biden was gearing up to take office after a turbulent election period, a group of Trump supporters and white supremacists...

Bolivian Opposition Leader Fernando Camacho’s Arrest Exemplifies Bolivia’s Polarization

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

On December 28, 2023, prominent Bolivian right-wing opposition leader Fernando Camacho was arrested in the city of Santa Cruz on terrorism charges. Camacho’s arrest exemplifies increasing...

Japan, The United States, and Democracy: A Push into Modernization

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

Democracy is what the United States prides itself on and the very base of every political decision, using it as justification for foreign affairs like Afghanistan, solidifying same-sex marriage as a...

How Claims of Fraudulent Elections Threaten Trust in American Democracy

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

Trump supporters at a 'stop the steal' protest in Atlanta, Georgia In the past few years, the United States has experienced unprecedented levels of claims of a fraudulent or stolen election. The...

How Gerrymandering Happens and the Threat it Poses

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

Gerrymandering is one of the most divisive issues in the United States, and for good reason. In fact, in 2021 CNN reported that voters consider gerrymandering to be biggest election related issue in...

How Data Collection Undermines Democracy

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

When using personal and private data, artificial intelligence can fundamentally discriminate against race, religion, and sex and the lack of data privacy permits therefore permits gerrymandering and...

Mike Lee: Utah’s Own Disloyal Opposition

May 3, 2023 | University of Utah

A look into Utah state senator Mike Lee and how his direct involvement with the January 6th insurrection is dangerous to American democracy. You don’t have to be a political scientist to agree that...

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%...