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.

These blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Amnesty for Atrocities: Peru’s Democratic Backsliding in the Shadow of Fujimori

Overview of Peru bill No. 366 of 2023, which provided amnesty to those who committed crimes against humanity during the country’s internal conflict between 1980 and 2000, and its context in the country’s ongoing democratic crisis.

What the Madhesi Movement Reveals About Nepal’s Democratic Erosion

The blog post argues that Nepal’s marginalization of the Madhesi community through economic exploitation, political exclusion, racialized discrimination, and constitutional design reveals the 2015 Madhesi Movement as a warning sign of democratic backsliding driven by elite power preservation rather than a simple border or foreign policy dispute.

Namibia’s Troubling Drift Toward Democratic Erosion

This article delves into how the recent 2024 presidential election and contradicting executive laws have greatly impacted the state of democracy in Namibia.

Democratic Erosion Disguised as Stability: Georgia’s Post-Election Crisis

Apr 17, 2025 | Boston University

In Georgia, parliamentary elections in October 2024 spurred mass mobilization and protest nationally over alleged electoral fraud and government violence. Thousands of...

Serbian Protests: Unrest or Backsliding?

Apr 16, 2025 | Boston University

Serbia has seen a wave of student protests over the last four months due to the deadly train station collapse in Novi Sad that has now claimed the lives of 16 people. The...

Poland’s Fall to Autocracy Brings Warning Signs to The United States

Nov 21, 2022 | Boston University

In 2020 Andrzej Duda won Poland's presidential election with 51.2 percent of the vote. This very narrow margin unveiled the clear divide of polarization throughout their country. In addition, there...

Youth Stimulates Youth: The Importance of Youth Leadership

Nov 21, 2022 | Suffolk University

How often do you feel disengaged and confused by the current political sphere and agenda within the country? Many may even feel disgusted by the word politics itself. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone...

Why Iran’s Women Are Key to the Undoing of Democratic Erosion

Nov 20, 2022 | Skidmore College

The degradation of civil rights and freedoms within Iran has fallen primarily on women and is responsible for the recent unrest. A protest based on women’s grievances is likely to be more effective...

Will El Salvador Ever Have a Real Democracy?

Nov 18, 2022 | Boston University

Gang members are secured during a police operation at Izalco jail during a 24-hour lockdown ordered by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in Izalco, El Salvador. Photograph released by the El...

Has Hiring a Security Detail Become a Prerequisite for Elected Officials?

Nov 13, 2022 | Skidmore College

It has become commonplace to hear about the growing daily threats of violence to U.S. elected officials since the now infamous January 6th, 2021 Insurrection at the Capitol. On that day, millions of...

Is There a Place For Anymore Growth In Argentina’s Democracy?

Nov 13, 2022 | Skidmore College

While the Vice president of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is awaiting her trials for corruption, it is her attempted assassination that has garnered the attention of the world....

Youth Civic Engagement and The Future of Democracy

Nov 10, 2022 | Suffolk University

The importance of youth engagement in the democratic system, and ways that those who are not yet able to vote can still engage in civics. Our Issues, Our Voices, Our Votes: Youth Civic Participation...

Arrested, Dead, or with Victory

Nov 10, 2022 | Skidmore College

"Só saio, preso, morto ou com vitória" Originally in Portuguese, Brazil’s presidential incumbent promises what will occur after the election. President Jair Bolsonaro told his supporters in a speech...

1922 in 2022: The Return of the Far Right in Italy

Nov 10, 2022 | Skidmore College

The polls have closed; the votes have been tallied; the election is over -- Giorgia Meloni, head of the far-right Brothers of Italy Party is the country’s next prime minister. Meloni, who is the...