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 Divisive Force of Technological Polarization: Understanding the TikTok Ban

Apr 10, 2024 | Georgia State University

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media platforms, TikTok has captivated millions with its short-form videos and trend-setting content. However, beneath its...

Sall’s Stealth Authoritarian: Senegal’s Election Delay

Apr 10, 2024 | Ursinus College

Senegal has been a democracy since 1960 when it first gained independence. It is one of the only countries in Africa to have never suffered a coup since their independence....

Bhutan: A Young and Fragile Democracy Faces Barriers to Growth

Mar 8, 2022 | Ohio State University

The predominately Buddhist nation of Bhutan remains the subject of international interest as an isolated ecological haven and an area of promise for democracy. Recent years have seen increases in...

When History Repeats Itself

Mar 8, 2022 | Ohio State University

An all too familiar threat to democracy in the Philippines (Not so) Democratic History Democracy in the Philippines was nothing more than an ideal for the vast majority of the country’s history....

Ethiopia’s Ethnic Conflict Leads to Harsh Decrease in Rights

Mar 8, 2022 | Ohio State University

Since November of 2020, Ethiopia has been consumed by the ongoing conflict between the national government and rebels from the northernmost part of the country. This conflict however, has had a wide...

Cuban Citizens Call to Action in Summer 2021

Mar 8, 2022 | Ohio State University

July 2021 brought a period of unrest in Cuba, the likes of which had not been seen since the 1959 revolution with Fidel Castro. On July 11, 2021 people came to the streets to protest against...

Invasion to Failed State: Iraq’s Democratic Mirage

Mar 7, 2022 | Ohio State University

On March 20th, 2003, President George W. Bush announced that United States forces would begin military exercises within Iraq. Among the coalition partners, it was clear the United States and NATO...

Qatar’s New Legislature Is No Real Indication of Democratization

Mar 7, 2022 | Ohio State University

In October of last year, 2021, general elections for a national legislative body were held in Qatar for the first time. The legislature (romanized from Arabic as Majlis as-Shura) is called the Shura...

Technocracy, Autocracy, and Democracy in Singapore

Mar 7, 2022 | Ohio State University

In December 2021, the United States held an international Summit For Democracy, inviting 100 nations to combat democratic backsliding. The invite list was full of liberal democracies but included...

Stealth Authoritarianism: A Threat to Democracy in Paraguay

Mar 7, 2022 | Ohio State University

Following a 35-year military dictatorship by Alfredo Stroessner that ended in 1989, Paraguay took steps toward democratization including the adoption of a constitution in 1992. In 1993, Colorado...

“Protection Bill” Passes Committee: What are its Implications in the Fight for Democracy in Iran?

Mar 7, 2022 | Ohio State University

Recent scholarship on authoritarianism, democratic backsliding and state censorship has shifted its focus. Research on explicit abuses of power has given way towards the implicit means by which...