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.

The house is burning from the inside out: American democracy is dying

” There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide” - James Adams. If the average empire fails at 250 years and America is 248 years old, could we say that the death of democracy was something foreseeable and the uprise in authoritarian form of government...

Demagogues: Turning America into the Child Left Behind

The emergence of technofascist demagogues in American politics pose a significant threat to democracy and education, highlighting the urgent need for critical thinking and informed choices to protect the nation’s future.

Germany’s Defense of Democracy

Populism is rising in Germany, with the far-right political party, Alternative for Germany, gaining more and more popularity that echo dangerous anti-democratic trends from Germany, raising concerns about the future of Germany’s democracy.

Disinformation and Calling 911: A Fiery City Council Meeting

Oct 11, 2024 | Ohio State University

“North Canton is a very peaceful part of Ohio. The community is small enough to get together and create amazing things. I feel very safe in North Canton and recommend new...

Truth Social was a failed populist experiment. A second Trump victory could change that.

Oct 10, 2024 | Brown University

If former President Donald Trump is a populist, he certainly isn’t a traditional one. An analysis of the former President’s speeches by UCLA researchers found that he...

Which Pandemic is Worse: COVID-19 or the Spread of Misinformation?

Sep 30, 2022 | Ohio State University

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, was (and still is) a virus that has taken the lives of over four million people in the last three years. The virus spreads through the air, most commonly from...

Using Lawsuits to Silence the Press — How and Why This is Concerning

Sep 30, 2022 | Ohio State University

Freedom of Speech is a right that Americans have held dearly since our nation’s founding. Codified in the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment importantly guarantees American citizens a right to free...

How Florida’s Don’t Say Gay Bill is Accelerating American Democratic Backsliding

Sep 29, 2022 | Ohio State University

In many ways, Florida has become the voice for conservative America. Under the governorship of Republican Ron DeSantis since 2019, himself seen as a possible nominee for president in 2024, Florida...

The January 6th Insurrection: Culmination of Democratic Backsliding

Sep 29, 2022 | Ohio State University

A prime example of the US democracy being in danger of falling apart was the attack on the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021. This was a result of Donald Trump, the President at the time, losing his...

Ohio’s Voter Roll Maintenance Process Impedes Democratic Voter Participation

Sep 29, 2022 | Ohio State University

“Limit voter fraud at the expense of disenfranchising eligible voters.” That’s the message that the Ohio state legislature and the U.S. Supreme Court are sending with their latest decision in Husted...

The Danger of Electing Election Deniers

Sep 28, 2022 | Ohio State University

Across the country, sixty percent of Americans will have an election denier on their ballot. At least 16 states will have a candidate running for secretary of state (or positions that appoint the...

The Consequences of the Demise of the “Chevron Deference”

Sep 28, 2022 | Ohio State University

Murky water runs through your backyard, clouding the water that comes out of your faucet and into the vegetables you wash, the water you use to brush your teeth. However, instead of the...

Who Should Control the Flow of Information in the Information Age: Private Businesses?

Sep 16, 2022 | Suffolk University

Apple iPhone, with many social media apps We practically live on our phones, the average use time on an iPhone is 5-6 hours a day. Given the fact that we are constantly absorbing information from...

Carrots and Sticks: How the Greek Government Undermined Free and Independent Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sep 1, 2022 | Dartmouth College

While Hungary and Poland dominate the discussion of democratic erosion in Europe, it is Greece that ranks last in media freedom among European Union member-states. Since the onset of the pandemic,...