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...

Bolivia’s Decline in Democracy: The Failure to Uphold Constitutional Integrity by Danielle Schmitz

Aug 7, 2024 | University of Denver

A modern political democracy is a system where rules are held accountable by citizens through their elected representatives, either through competition or cooperation....

Bolivia’s Decline in Democracy: The Failure to Uphold Constitutional Integrity

Aug 7, 2024 | University of Denver

A modern political democracy is a system where rules are held accountable by citizens through their elected representatives, either through competition or cooperation....

Brazil: A Case of Systematic Police Brutality

Jun 11, 2022 | Koç University

Protests against Police Violence in Rio De Janeiro Aggressive and dehumanizing policing tactics adopted by the Security forces in Rio de Janeiro have led to nationwide uprise and distrust in the...

Youth Are The Future of Democratic Consolidation in Thailand

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Thailand has had a volatile history when it comes to democracy. In 1932, a revolution overthrew the absolute monarchy. The first constitution in the country’s history limited the power of the King...

Another Mass Shooting Happened, And We’re Used to It

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

“Mass shootings, where four or more people — not including the shooter — are injured or killed, have averaged more than one per day so far this year. Not a single week in 2022 has passed without at...

How Identity Politics Polarize Social Media Even Further

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The more social media increases, the more identity politics and echo chambers will grow as well, increasing political polarization within the U.S. With the rise of technology, people have access to...

On the January 6th Hearings: The GOP Needs to Drain Its Own Swamp

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Trump’s acquittal for his second impeachment sets a dangerous precedent for rising players in the GOP, who attempt to follow his lead. The main questions that arose from his historic second...

The Rise of a Dictator and Fall of a People– The Rise of Corruption and Collapse of Civil Society in Serbia

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Since the rise to power of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and their leader Aleksandar Vučić, democracy and any dream of Western values and lifestyle has eroded away from Serbia. With a clear...

The Left’s Case Against the Disinformation Board

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was the first made the public aware the new disinformation board during a house subcommittee hearing in April. The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated...

Lying Candidates, and the Illusion of Choice

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

On May 5th President Joe Biden met with Chris Smalls, the president of the Amazon Labor Union, who has recently won a historic unionization vote against Amazon which has gone through...

Guns and Money: How Many More Innocent School Children?

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Source: https://assets.teenvogue.com/photos/5a8daf4d1710f94783e99e3d/master/pass/_Tout.jpg Why are students taught to defend themselves? Why must they know to barricade doors? Why are they expected...