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...

The 2024 Illuminati Election

Oct 10, 2024 | Ohio State University

“I’ll talk to you the minute you stop killing children,” he proclaims as he closes the door in our faces. My roommate, a public policy major, has been interning as a...

Ecuador on the Edge

Oct 10, 2024 | Brown University

Once considered among the most stable countries in Latin America, Ecuador has been rocked by a surge of gang-related violence in the last few years. The homicide rate has...

The Evolution of Hong Kong’s Independence Movement: A Radical Transformation into Unarmed Violence

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Nearly five years after the famous Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, independence fighters re-emerged in the spring of 2019 with a vengeance in order to protest a highly controversial extradition bill...

Political Upheaval in Myanmar

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

In the past decade, the number of successful coups was on a steady decline, with a max of two successful coups in a year between 2015 and 2020. This number was down from decades past, suggesting...

The Extradition of Assange: A Dangerous Precedent for Free Press Everywhere

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

On Wednesday, April 20th, the Australian editor and publisher Julian Assange had a seven-minute hearing with a London Magistrates’ Court. During this, the Chief Magistrate announced that he would be...

Orban Wins Election Yet Again: What Does This Mean for Democracy in Hungary?

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Incumbent Viktor Orban wins fourth consecutive election as Prime Minister, which raises concerns for Hungary's democracy as the Fidesz party continues to extend their control. April 3, 2022, Viktor...

Polarization and a Federal Judge’s Ruling on Mask Mandates in Florida

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Since the beginning of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the constitutionality of mandates has been questioned and tested. From the first mask mandate issued by the Center for Disease Control January...

Democratic Erosion in Florida: A Focus on DeSantis’ Use of Redistricting

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Following Trump’s close win of the Florida electoral seats in 2016, DeSantis’ won the 2018 gubernatorial election by just .4% more than his Democratic opponent, meaning the political preferences of...

How 2022 Will Dictate the Fate of Philippines’ Democracy

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

As the 2022 election is only a few weeks away and Duterte’s tyranny is coming to an end, the state of Philippines’ democracy is in perilous condition as the frontrunner is Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son...

COVID Pandemic and Democratic Backsliding in Ethiopia

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Originally thought to be a reformer, Prime Minister Abiya Ahmed has not held up his promise to the people of Ethiopia. When he was elected Prime Minister in 2018, he loosened restrictions on the...

Obama’s Endorsement of Social Media Censorship: An Essential Tool for Preserving Democratic Norms

Apr 22, 2022 | Boston University

Barack Obama made headlines recently for making an urgent warning to the American people, claiming that widespread misinformation over the past few years has led to the “weakening of democratic...