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 are student blog posts written by student participants in the Democratic Erosion Course. These posts were not written by nor represent the views of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Trump’s Press Ban and The Courts Response

Access to unbarred media is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of a democratic country. Without independent media, the stream of information to voters is disrupted making people's understanding of their political environment inaccurate. If the media...

Trump’s Use of the SAVE Database May Threaten Democratic Participation

On Friday, September 25th, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to make use of the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to screen state voter lists for possible noncitizens temporarily. The...

The Press and the Limits of Presidential Power

On September 25, 2026, The Atlantic published Quinta Jurecic’s article, “The Two-Year Temper Tantrum to Come,” about President Donald Trump’s recent fight with the White House press. Just one day earlier, a federal judge had ordered the White House to restore access...

Looking at Trump’s and Obama’s State of the Unions Through the Lens of Mutual Toleration

Apr 1, 2026 | Salem State University

On February 24th, 2026, President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union Address in American history. His speech addressed a range of topics such as the U.S economy,...

Is Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Actually Keeping Us Safe?

Mar 31, 2026 | Suffolk University

Voter fraud in the United States is almost nonexistent, with very little evidence suggesting that noncitizens are the ones committing it, if it does happen. Audits and...

The Supreme Court’s Potential to Erode Democracy

Oct 15, 2023 | Boston University

The Supreme Court, an institution responsible for providing equal justice under the law, contradicts this role in our current democracy. As the two other branches of government become more...

The Delegitimization of American Political Institutions

Oct 15, 2023 | Boston University

Until fairly recently, Americans tended to view their own constitutional democracy as their greatest source of joy as citizens. We saw ourselves as a shining beacon of political and civil liberty,...

The supreme immunity: Could it be a stealth authoritarianism?

Oct 15, 2023 | School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

An example from Indonesia’s new Article of libel and defamation In the essence of practicing democracy, a fundamental understanding is that it provides a safe space for both criticism and...

China in Cambodia: Threat to Regional Stability

Oct 15, 2023 | School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

The shrinking of Cambodia’s civic and political space mirrors the elections and authoritarian consolidation of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Since 2021, Cambodia’s civil society, media, and...

Aspects for Deliberation: Can Democracy Truly Foster Gender Equality and Dismantle Patriarchy’s Structural?

Oct 15, 2023 | School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

Introduction Gender equality and the dismantling of the patriarchal system are essential components of social progress. While democracy is often viewed as a system that upholds fundamental rights...

Reflection on Moving Forward: Local Governance Approach to Mitigate Conflict and Elevate Civilian Engagement and Freedom of Expression in Burma/Myanmar

Oct 15, 2023 | School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

Many think tanks, ethnic leaders, and some researchers in Myanmar always argue that the concept of federal democracy is suitable to adopt and practice in a country like Myanmar, a country with...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Trump’s Press Ban and The Courts Response

Trump’s Use of the SAVE Database May Threaten Democratic Participation

The Press and the Limits of Presidential Power

Looking at Trump’s and Obama’s State of the Unions Through the Lens of Mutual Toleration

Is Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Actually Keeping Us Safe?

The Supreme Court’s Potential to Erode Democracy

The Delegitimization of American Political Institutions

The supreme immunity: Could it be a stealth authoritarianism?

China in Cambodia: Threat to Regional Stability

Aspects for Deliberation: Can Democracy Truly Foster Gender Equality and Dismantle Patriarchy’s Structural?

Reflection on Moving Forward: Local Governance Approach to Mitigate Conflict and Elevate Civilian Engagement and Freedom of Expression in Burma/Myanmar

Tensions Escalate Following Terrorist Attack in Northern Kosovo

Ghana Protests: Example of Democratic Backsliding

Recommendations for Addressing Yemen’s Challenges

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