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.

History Repeats: Why Strong Global Defense is Key to Preventing Autocracy

A strong and consistent global defense by democratic nations is crucial to preventing the rise of autocratic regimes, as history shows—from the Cold War doctrines to the failed democratization of Afghanistan—that without committed follow-through and structural reform, authoritarian forces will exploit weaknesses and reclaim power.

Women in Political Dynasties: The Illusion of Choice and Democratic Erosion in the Philippines

Political dynasties have long controlled Philippine politics, with powerful families passing down leadership positions across generations. Despite the imposition of term limits discouraging dynastic rule, these families have found their way around the constitutional...

From Stardom to Senate: The Alarming Trend of Celebrity Politics in the Philippines

The intersection of celebrity and politics in the Philippines is nothing new. The phenomenon of celebrity politicians—actors, athletes, and other public figures who go from the big screen or stage to the corridors of power—has become a defining aspect of the country's...

How the European Union Facilitates Democratic Erosion At Home

Dec 5, 2024 | Brown University

Protecting and fostering democracy has been a cornerstone of the European Union project since its founding. Yet the recent rise of antidemocratic regimes in countries like...

Can “Asia’s Trump” Make a Political Comeback?

Dec 5, 2024 | Brown University

He used methods of intimidation and subverted the rule of law to attack his political enemies. He played the “strong man” to weaken institutional mechanisms and checks...

Drawing Lines: Redistricting and Democratic Backslide in Ohio

Sep 30, 2022 | Ohio State University

Manipulation of electoral districts has been a tool of American politics since at least the early 1800s. In today’s America, this strategy is as prevalent, or perhaps more so, as it ever was. Since...

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...