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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Food Security is Rooted Abroad

Global fertilizer supply chains connect geopolitical events abroad to food production at home in ways most consumers don’t see.

The Meaning of Silence : What the moment of silence for Melissa Hortman says about American democracy

On June 14, 2025, the lives of Melissa Hortman who was a House speaker in Minnesota and her husband Mark were taken in what authorities believe to be a politically motivated act of violence. The same day Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and...

Buying Injustice: The Hidden Harms of this Act.

Are we looking to create a thriving society, or are we allowing fear into the lives of immigrant families? As new immigration policies appear, the question become, how do we prevent the changes that involve separating families and dismantling the place that...

Disabling the Judiciary: How Tension Between Israel’s Judiciary and Governing Coalition Threatens Democracy

Apr 18, 2026 | Boston University

As of today, dozens of federal judicial positions in Israel, including 4 Supreme Court positions, remain vacant. This comes as a result of Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s...

Collapsing Democratic Norms in Peru

Apr 17, 2026 | Boston University

In an article published April 9, 2026, Diana Roy titles Peru, “South America’s most politically unstable country.” (Roy, 2026) In the past ten years, Peru has had 8...

What can the Balon D’or tell us about Democratic Erosion?

Dec 4, 2024 | Brown University

Unforgettable robbery! Corruption! Undeserved! Are these comments from the recent US Presidential Election? No, they are reactions to the announcement of the most important individual award in the...

Looking Local: Why the Rise of School Takeovers Threaten American Democracy

Dec 4, 2024 | Brown University

The 2024 election and the rise of Trump have sparked concern on the Left over the state of democracy in the United States and the consolidation of power under the incoming administration. This...

Fake News For Profit: The Disinformation Goldrush

Dec 3, 2024 | Brown University

As the 2016 US Presidential election approached, ‘fake news’ surged across the internet, with hundreds of pro-Trump websites shared by millions of people. At least 100 of these sites have been...

Could the 2017 burning of Congress in Paraguay have led to the end years of Colorado Party dominance?

Nov 8, 2024 | Ohio State University

On March 31st, 2017, protesters set fire to the Paraguayan Congress, dismantling fences, clashing with riot police, and storming the legislative chambers, venting anger at what they saw as an attack...

The Unpaved Road Of Guatemala’s Democracy

Nov 5, 2024 | Ohio State University

The road to democracy for Guatemala was rocky and has remained just as unpaved since. Guatemala has a unique political history, with civil wars, hope for peace, and relentless relapses. Through this...

Georgia’s Stolen Election: A Setback for Democracy and European Integration

Nov 5, 2024 | Ohio State University

On October 26th, Georgia held elections that would determine the fate of democracy in their country. Unfortunately, democracy lost. The winning party ran its campaign partly on the platform of...

The Junta, Democratic Erosion, and Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in Mali

Nov 5, 2024 | Ohio State University

In November of 2024, following two years of uncontested rule, the provisional government in Mali moved to enshrine anti-LGBTQ legislation into the nation's penal code. It was the first time...

The Battle for Free and Fair Elections in Ghana: Electoral Irregularities and Growing Unrest

Nov 4, 2024 | Ohio State University

Ghana, often hailed as a model of democracy in West Africa, now faces a serious challenge to its electoral processes and democratic institutions. Ahead of the country’s December 7th presidential and...

Silenced Voices: Singapore’s Government Continues to Target Media

Nov 4, 2024 | Ohio State University

The utilization of POFMA, legislation that allows government officials to punish news media that do not abide by its rules and restrictions, adds to numerous other media restrictions set in place by...