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...

Trump vs. United States: A Harbinger of Erosion?

Sep 13, 2024 | Ohio State University

Protesters at the Supreme Court - Credit Sarah Penney The Case in Question When rioters entered the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, the self-evident attempt to undermine...

Panic at the Polls: How the Words of a Leader Changed How Americans View Their Elections

Sep 13, 2024 | Ohio State University

An “I Voted” sticker is seen as a badge of honor. A symbol of one’s dedication to their country and its future leaders. A sign that someone has actively participated in...

Is Niger a Democratic State? Not Yet.

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Is Niger a democratic state? Three years ago, the answer would’ve been a solid no. Niger's current condition after last year’s presidential election renders today’s answer as an unsteady maybe....

Weaponizing Misinformation Laws: Turkey’s Crackdown on Opposition Media

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan The parliament of Turkey has passed a media anti-misinformation bill proposed by the country’s authoritarian president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While the...

Talks of a Potential Third Term Plagues Indonesia

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

As we continue to feel the effects of the Covid-19 virus, Indonesia faces a looming dilemma regarding their next important election coming in 2024. The country's current president Joko Widodo (known...

Femicides In Ecuador Weaken Foundations of Democracy

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

“Police kill, femicidal state” read the sign of a protestor standing outside of the Quito Police Headquarters on September 21st. The protest came as a response to news that broke earlier that day:...

Paraguay’s December Primary: Corruption, Assassinations, and Treaty Renegotiation

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

The history of democracy in Latin and South America has been tumultuous. In Paraguay, the ruling Colorado party is fraught with corruption and may lose its grip on power for only the second time in...

El Salvador is Objectively Becoming Safer, But at What Cost to Democracy?

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

El Salvador is a country that many Americans have heard of but very few know a lot about. The nation has experienced a long history of turmoil with several military dictatorships and a civil war...

Let’s Be Cautious of Jail Bolsonaro as Brazil Enters Round Two of Voting

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Brazil's incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro utilized populist rhetoric and disinformation to help win his 2018 election campaign. At the beginning of this month, Bolsonaro lost to former left-wing...

Democratic Backsliding in Mali?

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

While democratic backsliding has become a question in some of the world’s biggest and most successful democracies, such as the...

Is It Too Late to Stop Guatemalan Corruption?

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Corruption runs rampant in Guatemala - and the destruction of human rights is on its path. Recent years under Guatemala’s last two presidents, Jimmy Morales (2016-20) and incumbent president...