DOI
This paper argues that universities are not only affected by democratic erosion but can also become central arenas in which it unfolds. Through mechanisms of repression, co-optation, and legitimation, political authorities may seek to weaken university autonomy and bring institutions of knowledge under greater control. At the same time, universities serve as important reservoirs of democratic resistance by preserving independent knowledge, professional networks, public credibility, and spaces for collective deliberation and action.
Drawing on examples from Serbia, Hungary, Turkey, and the United States, the paper examines how universities contribute to democratic resilience, particularly during periods of political crisis. Special attention is given to the Serbian student movement, which demonstrates how university communities can foster new forms of participation, deliberation, and collective organisation, being reservoirs of democratic resistance. The paper concludes that the democratic value of universities lies not only in academic freedom and institutional autonomy, but also in their capacity to sustain the relationships, practices, and resources that make independent judgement, public criticism, and collective action possible.