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...

How Does Taiwan Weather the Storm of Democratic Erosion? by Michael Cowden

Aug 6, 2024 | University of Denver

Taiwan, or the Republic of China, is a small autonomous island that lies southeast of the People’s Republic of China. Recent global headlines have positioned Taiwan as a...

Populism, Popularity, and Prabowo’s Rise to Power

Jul 9, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Political campaigns are just like the movies. Politicians comprise a cast of characters who play their respective roles within a well-conceived made-up narrative complete...

Democratic Backsliding in the United States – It’s Real.

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

I vividly remember my experience six years ago, huddled over the dusty desk in the nook of my room, unable to concentrate on my geometry homework. Why? I was watching coverage of the 2016 election...

Roe v. Wade and The Supreme Court’s Role in Democracy

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

In a leaked majority opinion briefing, written by Justice Samuel Alito, it has come to light that the Supreme Court will vote to overturn the landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade. In the document, it...

What Russia’s Fake News Campaign Teaches Us About Democracy

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Protests at Russian embassy in Bangkok, Thailand Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images The role of fake news is one which has evolved over the past years and in the case of Russia and the war on Ukraine, fake...

Roe v. Wade Reveals Underlying Inequalities

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Source: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/14514/production/_124402238_roe2.jpg Dahl: “In a political system where nearly every adult may vote but where knowledge, wealth, social position,...

The Uvalde Shooting: Why We Need To Control Special Interest Groups

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

On May 4, 2022 at 11:33am, a gunman armed with a rifle from Daniel Defense (similar to Armalite’s AR-15), and a tactical vest without armor plates entered Robb elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. He...

A Puerto Rican Referendum Would Bolster Representative Democracy

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

U.S. congressional lawmakers have begun the process of drafting legislation to allow Puerto Ricans to determine their territorial status, highlighting potential implications for the island’s ability...

The War on Drugs: No, Not That One, The Taliban’s

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

On April 3rd, 2022 the Taliban government decreed the cultivation of opium poppy would no longer be allowed. Afghanistan has a long history with the opium poppy flower and it's one that has...

How The War on Ukraine Reveals Putin’s Playbook

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The Ukrainian War has provided an insight into how Vladimir Putin has retained his power over the years and kept public support through silencing opposition and military actions conducted by the...

21 Century Spectacle: How Disinformation, Populism, and Social Media Are A 21 Century Fulfillment of the Concept of Spectacle

Jun 10, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

How much of the events that we encounter in our political sphere actually happen in the way we think they do? How much of what we know has to do with the narrative formed around it after it happens,...