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.

Nayib Bukele’s Dystopia

May 5, 2024 | American University

When Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 members were deported to El Salvador, they returned to a country that did not help them reintegrate or even...

Democracy faltering in Brazil? By Neil O’Donnell

May 5, 2024 | Ursinus College

Democracy in Brazil has always been an uphill battle since breaking from military control in 1988. Brazil founded a constitution which typically protects many...

Marine Le Pen and the Far Right Threat to Democracy

Apr 23, 2022 | Boston University

On April 10th, 2022, France held the first round of its presidential elections with a surprising result. Emmanuel Macron, the current president of France, emerged in the lead with 27.8% of the...

COVID-19 in the United States: One Nation, Divided with Polarization and Misinformation for All

Apr 23, 2022 | Boston University

Conspiracies during the COVID-19 pandemic directly increased pre-existing polarization, but it also contributed directly to the polarization of the virus - what should have stayed a public health...

Ron DeSantis: Yet Another Example of the Perils of US Polarization

Apr 23, 2022 | Boston University

Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, has been in the news many times as of late, but most recently for his proposed redistricting map. While it is not uncommon for the majority party to redraw...

Populism Versus The Military Establishment: Imran Khan Loses The Military’s Support

Apr 23, 2022 | Boston University

Faced with the threat of a no-confidence vote in parliament that he was likely to lose, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an attempt to block his ouster, sent shockwaves through Pakistan by dissolving...

What’s the Future for France’s Democracy?

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

French President Emmanuel Macron is going to face off against far-right challenger Marine Le Pen on Sunday in France's second round presidential election. While supporters of the Incumbent are...

Putin and Democratic Erosion

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

What Putin's actions during the Russo-Ukrainian, Russo-Georgian, and Second Chechen war tell us about the threats he poses to Democracy worldwide Introduction Last month, amidst an address on the...

Don’t Lose Focus On France

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Europe has enough democratic threats currently underway, but we cannot lose focus on efforts of democratic backsliding happening in France. With all of the action occurring in Europe, between the...

Modi’s New India: The World’s Largest Democracy Under Fire

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Many would characterize India as the world’s largest democracy. Even the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has called India “The mother of all democracies.” However, it seems as though that the...

The Zambian Case: A Lesson in Reversing Democratic Erosion

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Discussions of democratic erosion tend to focus on the negative: obstacles facing pro-democratic movements, the rise of populism, or the horrific consequences of authoritarianism on human rights....