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.

The Crisis in South Sudan

Apr 16, 2024 | Ursinus College

South Sudan is currently a failing democracy. After South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on July 9th, 2011, they have been experiencing a shaky consolidation of...

A Continent in Contrast: Mapping Political Polarization in Africa

Apr 15, 2024 | William Jewell College

Political polarization stereotypically holds a negative connotation, especially within an entire country. However, when we hold a conversation about an entire continent,...

Panic in Paradise: Jamaica’s Battle with Corruption

Mar 29, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

Corruption is nothing new to political spheres around the world. In Jamaica, corruption within the government is pervasive and entrenched in Jamaican society. Jamaican politics is overrun with...

Polarization and Its Threat to American Democracy

Mar 28, 2022 | University of Georgia

In the midst of a rapidly changing global political landscape, the United States has experienced increased polarization of political parties and ideologies. Differing political opinions is a core...

The Post-War Dream of Iraqi Democracy

Mar 26, 2022 | University of Georgia

War, destruction, suppression, and revolution at the crossroads of the Old World; a vicious cycle of instability that has crushed Middle Eastern hopes for truly democratic institutions. Time and...

2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine: How Russia Uses Conflict to Dissolve Democracies

Mar 26, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

As of February 21 2022, Russia has once again invaded and occupied areas in sovereign Ukraine. What is known thus far about this particular invasion is that it occurred after Russia recognized...

Democracy in Haiti Is in Freefall: Will It Ever Stop?

Mar 25, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

In July 2021 Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated. Prior to his death, there were various protests and riots calling for him to step down because of his corrupt regime and his refusal...

A Tale of Two Internets

Mar 25, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

While former President Donald Trump’s new social media network, Truth Social, may end up becoming a “Big Failure” rather than the “Big Tent” it set out to be, alternate social media platforms for...

Why Russia’s Ukraine Invasion Is a Threat to Global Democracy

Mar 25, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun a military crisis in Europe, however, the crisis extends far beyond Ukraine's borders. Global democracy has been at risk for several years and Putin's...

Stealth Authoritarianism in China, and What it Means for the Rest of the World

Mar 24, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

In 1982 term limits were imposed on the office of the President of China. They were created by Deng Xiaoping (then president of China) to prevent another Mao-style autocrat from coming...

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and the Decrease in Right-wing Populist Support for Putin

Mar 24, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

On the morning of February 24, Putin ordered a “special military operation” under the guise of demilitarizing, denazifying, and democratizing Ukraine. This came after weeks of stationing hundreds of...