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.

Boon and Bane at Once to PH Democracy: The Catholic Church as a Two-Edged Sword

May 25, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Despite being known for its role in restoring democracy and its efforts to sustain it, the Catholic Church in the Philippines is regarded by progressives as an obstacle to...

People Power Euphoria to Perilous Erosion: The long, winding tale of democratic backsliding in the Philippines

May 25, 2024 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Since its victory against the Marcos dictatorship in 1986, and its successful ouster of President Joseph "Erap" Estrada in 2001, the Philippines has become a bastion of...

Information Blackout: Russian Media and Public Opinion Amid Invasion of Ukraine

May 27, 2022 | Dartmouth College

Russia has a complicated history with media transparency, and misinformation has swept the information economy during the invasion of Ukraine. Putin’s regime has capitalized on their near-total...

Singapore’s Fake News Law: For or Against Democracy?

May 27, 2022 | Dartmouth College

On October 2, 2019, Singapore’s fake news law came into effect amidst much controversy. Against a backdrop of growing viral misinformation around the world, the country’s government authorities have...

The Dangers of Disenfranchising College Students in New Hampshire

May 27, 2022 | Dartmouth College

On March 8th, 2021, the New Hampshire state legislature tried to make me ineligible to run for office in my college town. That day, there was a hearing on HB362, a bill that would remove student...

Marcos, Misinformation, and Myopia: A Cautionary Tale

May 25, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Less than a mere two generations after Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship, populist myopia has upended the Philippines election cycle—a stark warning to the rest of the world of the dangers of digital...

The Bottomless Pit: The Steel Trap That Is Populism, and Why Escape May Not Be Feasible Once Sprung

May 25, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

With the increasing polarization of Americans, and the newfound wave of popular support for far-right populism as birthed by Donald Trump and his supporters, it is becoming increasingly difficult to...

CPAC in Hungary: Endorsing Extremism and Attacking the Press

May 24, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a keynote speech during an extraordinary session of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Balna cultural centre of Budapest,...

Tunisia in Turmoil: Rising Populism and Democratic Erosion

May 24, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

In response to corruption and economic struggle, the 2010-2011 Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia sparked unrest and a call for democracy and reform within the entire Arab region. While protests in many...

Pennsylvania’s Republican Senatorial Primary Suggests a Re-Legitimization of Anti-Liberal Democratic Populism

May 24, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The GOP senatorial primary, in Pennsylvania, has been dominated by the candidacies of Mehmet Oz, David McCormick and Kathy Barnette. Beyond their disparate political histories, however, lies a pair...

The Mexican Recall Election: President Recalls Himself

May 24, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

President Lopez Obrador uses the process intended to remove an unpopular President from office to instead reinforce his supposed popularity. On April 10, 2022 Mexico held a Presidential recall...