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.

How far is too far for South Korea’s presidential pardons?

South Korea’s presidential pardons raise questions on accountability, especially in the aftermath of Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law.

How tolerating and encouraging violence fuels democratic backsliding in Georgia

During the past demonstrations, the ruling party of Georgia – Georgian Dream – made violence their primary weapon in overcoming protest. This blog emphasizes how violence used by the state implies democratic backsliding in light of the theoretical framework by Levistsky and Ziblatt.

Repression on Repeat: From Kyiv to Minsk to Tbilisi

Repression on Repeat: From Kyiv to Minsk to Tbilisi Last October, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. Many considered them as important as a referendum because Georgian citizens were asked to choose between the ruling Georgian Dream, a Euroskeptic...

Presidential Immunity’s Weakening Impact on U.S. Checks and Balances

Sep 13, 2024 | Ohio State University

The United States was founded on the idea of checks and balances and no one branch of government becoming more powerful than another. This is meant to keep the country from...

Absence of a Primary in the U.S. 2024 Democratic Nomination: An Act of Democratic Erosion

Sep 13, 2024 | Ohio State University

In democracies, political parties play a crucial role in representing the will of the people by allowing voters to select their preferred leaders through competitive...

Trump’s Role In Creating Anti-Democratic Norms

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

Trump's speech on January 6th, 2021 Trump's Role In Creating Anti-Democratic Norms US democracy is in jeopardy due to the Republican party's appeasement and pandering to far right-wing populism. As...

US Democracy: Racism Has Always Been the Problem

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

Republican rallies supporting candidates for the upcoming US midterm elections have campaigned on increasingly blatant racist rhetoric. Some media outlets have claimed that the uptick in racist...

How Biden and Harris Have Not Seen the Big Picture Surrounding their Debt Relief Plan

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

Just last night on October 14th, Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan applications went live on the...

In the Aftermath of the Protests: The Once and Future of Sri Lanka

Oct 16, 2022 | Ohio State University

The ongoing 2022 Sri Lankan Protests, called Janatha Aragalaya, or ‘The People’s Struggle’ in Sinhala, are on the surface rooted in the severe economic crisis in the country that has resulted in...

The “Overturning” of Roe V Wade: A Pro-Democratic Process Ruling?

Oct 16, 2022 | Boston University

In delivering the opinion of the court on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito states: “Abortion presents a profound moral issue on which Americans hold...

The Polarization and Politicization of the US Supreme Court

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

The Supreme Court, as an institution, has endured many changes — from the expansion of the court in 1790 from seven to nine justices, to the court packing plan attempted by Franklin D. Roosevelt....

Coups and Chaos: The Key Factors in Burkina Faso’s Government Gone Wrong

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

On September 30, 2022, Burkina Faso experienced its second coup within a year, ousting the now former President Lieutenant-Colonel Pual-Henri Damiba in favor of Ibrahim Traore, one of the army...

Voter Suppression as a Means for Stealth Authoritarianism in the United States

Oct 15, 2022 | Boston University

January 6th, 2021 was a harrowing day in American history by many metrics. The country watched as a mob of President Trump’s supporters stormed the United States Capitol with the intent of...

Thailand’s Government Continues Expanding Their Rights at the Expense of Its People

Oct 15, 2022 | Ohio State University

From a young age, we learn to make the most of the hand we’re dealt. As time goes on, we learn to adapt. We learn to use the mechanisms in place to achieve our goals. We see this in politics as...