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.

Checking The Vitals Of Philippine Democracy: Symptoms Of Fatigue Or Frustration?

Are Filipinos truly experiencing democracy fatigue, or are they simply frustrated with a system
that caged their role to the ballot box?

Emerging through the cracks: The Philippine opposition at the height of the Marcos-Duterte Split

In a period of political volatility, the opposition holds the coin to flip things in their favor. Strategically positioning itself as a genuine alternative the opposition has a chance to rebuild and become a stronger political force.

Public Opinion, Polarization, and Pushback on the Impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte

With months ahead of impeachment trial of Sara Duterte in the Philippine Senate, we can expect more political theatrics to unfold and try to win over public opinion.

Georgia’s October 2024 Protests: Exposing the Dangers of Power Consolidation and Pro-Putin Corruption

Feb 13, 2025 | Boston University

In October 2024, mass protests erupted across the nation of Georgia following the release of highly contested election results that extended the power of the ruling Georgian...

First Amendment, First to Go: Trump’s Threats on a Free Press

Feb 13, 2025 | Boston University

President Trump has spent the first weeks of his administration enacting firm executive orders and appointing allies to key government positions. His swift actions have not...

Doomed From the Start (a Study of National Unity in Serbia)

Nov 27, 2022 | Boston University

In 2017, Serbian democracy officially reverted to authoritarianism. This comes after the constitution written in 2006 at Serbia’s establishment as an independent state began eroding in 2013. The...

Conflict in Romania’s Double-Executive Government Shows Potential Signs of Democratic Backsliding

Nov 27, 2022 | Boston University

Prior to the EU summit in June 2012, the Romanian prime minister, Victor Ponta, disregarded a ruling by the Romanian Constitutional Court, which declared the president had the authority to choose...

Right Wing Populism in Spain: How the VOX Party Serves as an International Threat to Climate Change

Nov 27, 2022 | Boston University

VOX, a right-wing populism party in Spain, is renowned for its denial of global warming. Experts believe this is the reason for its political success as the party was established in 2013 with...

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed: Peacemaker or Authoritarian?

Nov 26, 2022 | Boston University

On November 3rd, 2022 the Tigray war in Ethiopia came to a cease fire. Both sides, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian federal government, agreed to permanently stop the...

Will South Korea Become the Next Victim of Democratic Erosion?

Nov 26, 2022 | Boston University

South Korea is still extremely young in its democracy compared to the rest of the developed world, becoming a democracy post Korean War around 1950. Nonetheless, the inexperience in regard to...

South Korea’s 2022 Presidential Election and the Future of South Korean Democracy

Nov 26, 2022 | Boston University

The two main candidates for March's election: Democratic former governor Lee Jae-myung on the left, Conservative former prosecutor Yoon Suk-yeol on the right.Image source:...

Precursors to Democratic Erosion in Mali

Nov 26, 2022 | Boston University

Beginning with French occupation in the late 19th century, Mali has had a long history of violence as well as a...

The Far-Right Goes Mainstream: France’s National Rally in Parliament

Nov 25, 2022 | Boston University

The National Rally (RN), France’s far-right party, gained a record high of 89 seats in the lower house of Parliament in France’s June 2022 elections. The party’s gains demonstrate the success of...

Media Freedom in Poland Is Deteriorating

Nov 25, 2022 | Boston University

In May this year, Reporters Without Borders, also known as RSF released its annual Press Freedom Index. This report evaluates various indicators to give countries a score relative to the state’s...