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...

Truth Social was a failed populist experiment. A second Trump victory could change that.

Oct 10, 2024 | Brown University

If former President Donald Trump is a populist, he certainly isn’t a traditional one. An analysis of the former President’s speeches by UCLA researchers found that he...

A Turning Point for Immigration Reform in the 2024 Presidential Election

Oct 10, 2024 | Ohio State University

The failure to address immigration in formal debate is something that has happened for at least a decade now! The failure to EVEN have discourse about immigration is...

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....

Good Neighbors: The Importance of Protecting Democracy in Ukraine’s Neighbor Moldova

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has dominated political discussions shifting the focus of the world towards Eastern Europe as the current location of the battleground between democracy and...

Does Social Media Need More Oversight?

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

In a public appearance at Stanford, former president Barack Obama called for greater “regulatory oversight” of large social media giants. He argued that their power to select and provide information...