Democracy & Rule of Law
Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis on threats and challenges to democracy and the rule of law in the United States and globally. Coverage includes analysis of the separation of powers, good governance, democratic backsliding, authoritarianism, judicial independence, freedom of the press and association, and accountability for rule of law violations.
Highlights:
Deportation to CECOT: The Constitutional Prohibition on Punishment Without Charge or Trial
Sending migrants to El Salvador’s CECOT prison raises grave constitutional concerns under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments.
In Turkey, Peace as Pretext: Erdoğan’s Kurdish Initiative and the Authoritarian Logic Behind Arresting His Main Opponent
The arrest of the Turkish president's main rival, Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu, sharpens the contradictions of the peace effort with the Kurds.
The New “National Defense Area” at the Southern Border: What You Need to Know
NSPM-4 creates a military area that is twice the size of Washington, D.C. and expands the military’s role in stopping cross-border migration.
No, the President Cannot Enforce the Law-Firm Deals
"First, are these agreements legally enforceable? Second, if not, what principled reasons do the firms have for keeping their part of these bargains?"
Online Safety Regulations Around the World: The State of Play and The Way Forward
A global survey and analysis of online safety laws reveals an emerging set of discernible approaches to platform regulation.
What Just Happened: The Trump Administration’s Reorganization of the State Department – and How We Got Here
The Trump administration’s proposed reorganization of the State Department is not just a reshuffle. It’s a realignment of diplomatic priorities that seems set to constrain…
3,017 Articles
Just Security’s Russia–Ukraine War Archive
A catalog of over 100 articles (many with Ukrainian translations) on the Russia Ukraine War -- law, diplomacy, policy options, and more.
Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
A public resource tracking all the legal challenges to the Trump administration's executive orders and actions.
El Salvador’s Authoritarian Slide Should Hold Lessons – Not Examples – for the U.S.
In fighting rampant gang violence, President Bukele has turned El Salvador into even more of a lawless, opaque State.
Beyond Data Rescue: Building Structural Safeguards for Federal Data Preservation
Disappearance of vital resources from government websites exposes a fragile ecosystem in which accountability mechanisms have broken down.
Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Coverage of key developments, including in concise “What Just Happened” expert explainers, legal and policy analysis, and more. Check back frequently for updates.
Is the New Global Order a Boon for International Taxation Collaboration?
The U.S. withdrawal from international forums may open possibilities for other cooperation. The tax reform agenda is a case in point.
Justice Department Fails to Address Central Point in VOA Case
A federal judge halted the shutdown of VOA, citing violations of administrative law and congressional authority, not press freedom.
Just Security’s Artificial Intelligence Archive
Just Security's collection of articles analyzing the implications of AI for society, democracy, human rights, and warfare.
Three Ways Abrego Garcia’s Rights Violated — Two of Which the Government Admits
"Abrego Garcia’s case isn’t about his alleged gang membership. It’s about the rule of law, and whether it will hold."
Localizing Genocide Prevention and Addressing the Needs of High-Risk Societies
A newly-rebooted UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect should work with local communities to de-escalate tensions before atrocities occur.
Birthright Citizenship and DOJ’s Misuse of History in Its Appellate Briefs
Although the DOJ's briefs in birthright citizen cases might initially seem well-supported, a close look reveals that it is grasping at straws.
The New Transparency Rules and the El Salvador Detention Agreement
A 2022 statute could force disclosure of any U.S.-El Salvador agreements connected to the facility where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is detained