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.

Donald Trump the Nazi Reincarnate?: Godwin’s Law and How This Phenomenon is Counterproductive to Understanding Democratic Erosion

What do we hope to accomplish when comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, a tyrannical perpetrator of genocide?

The Russia-Ukraine War Bodes Poorly for Democracy, But Not in the Way You Think

The Russia-Ukraine War is a serious threat to global democracy through the growing wave of isolationism in the United States, an entity that has typically been at the forefront of fighting authoritarianism across the world.

The Trump Administration’s Attack on USAID

The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID, increase concerns about democratic backsliding as it could result in a trend with the executive undermining institutional legitimacy.

Authoritarian Digitalization in the Philippines: How the Dutertes Controlled the Filipino Citizenry through Social Media

May 27, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

The authoritarian landscape is changing, yet the strategies and objectives remain the same in some aspects. Some weak democracies are exhibiting patterns of resurgent or...

Philippine Politicians Protect Fugitive Pastor

May 27, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Four Filipino senators have signed a written objection against the fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The said pastor is under investigation and wanted by the Federal Bureau...

Misinformation, Fake News, and Social Media: How Countries Are Combatting Misinformation

Jun 1, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

“Fake News”, two simple words that were weaponized by former United States president Donald Trump whenever he was presented or questioned with news he did not agree with. In the post Trump...

“Senegal Democracy Structure by Privatization”

Jun 1, 2022 | Koç University

Alara Mildon In the year between 1990-2001s, the country of Senegal was fighting with the economical issues which were detrimental for the society and the future prospects. At the end of 2000s,...

Misinformation Ahead of U.S Midterm Elections

Jun 1, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

As the U.S starts to inch closer to mid-term elections misinformation becomes a big problem for voters to distinguish between truth and fallacy. If misinformation spirals out of control it can...

The Ultimate Pandemic: Mass Shootings in America versus Europe

Jun 1, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

We have all had the same conversation at one time or another: the topic of the most recent mass shooting comes up, and someone says "Well, gun control laws won't help, guys like this will just buy...

Title 42: The Violation of Personal Liberties & The Rule of Law Under the Guise of Preventing the Spread of Covid-19

May 31, 2022 | Dartmouth College

Title 42 is an expulsion public-health policy that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order executed under Section 362 of the Public Health Service Act of 1944. The law was...

Kaïs Saïed and the Revival of Executive Coups

May 29, 2022 | Dartmouth College

It took one man to ignite a wave of uprisings against poverty, entrenched authoritarianism, and political repression. In 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in response to humiliating...

The Short Lasting Effects of the Arab Spring on Egypt’s Democracy Today

May 28, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi wave flags in Tahrir Square in Cairo on Wednesday. Shortly afterward, the military staged a coup, ousting Morsi and suspending the constitution....

A Rise in Populism in Colombia’s Upcoming Presidential Election

May 27, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The upcoming Colombian presidential elections will serve as a symbol of hope for the Colombian as they may be able to finally shift the tide in electing the country’s first populist leftist...

Replacement Theory and “The Other”: How Populists Have Used a Racist Conspiracy Theory to Get Ahead

May 27, 2022 | Dartmouth College

Replacement theory, the white nationalist conspiracy that has been co-opted by the mainstream Right and espoused by mass murderers, is not uncommon in today’s political discourse. In particular, it...