Democracy & Rule of Law
Democratic Backsliding & Solutions
194 Articles

New International Criminal Court Sanctions and the Threat to U.S. Democracy
The U.S. sanctions against International Criminal Court judges and officials are a threat to constitutional rights in the United States.

The Trump Administration’s Use of State Power Against Media: Keeping Track of the Big Picture
Tracking the use of State power requires systematically identifying linkages between individual developments and broader trends. This interactive graphic offers one method.

Four Things State and Local Prosecutors Can Do to Combat Federal Corruption
State attorneys general and local district attorneys can take action to uphold the rule of law in the face of unlawful federal actions.

“In Focus” Syllabus Supplements: ICE and CBP Operations in Minnesota and Other States (2025–2026)
This syllabus supplement offers curated articles intended to be combined with traditional casebooks in a law or higher ed classroom.

Reinvention Blueprint No. 1: A Government That Works for People
Our democratic institutions are under strain, but one thing must be true if any reform is to take hold: government must deliver, and that delivery must be felt by all people.

Reinvention Blueprint No. 2: Democracy Works When Government Works
America’s civil service, built for a bygone era, urgently needs bold, comprehensive reform to build a government capable of delivering for the 21st century.

Building Governing Machinery for the Next Pro-Democracy Moment
Domestic policy experts offer principles for reinvention meant to inform the work of policymakers, advocates, and governance rebuilders as they redesign federal institutions.

The U.S. and the EU Must Wake Up to Threats in Georgia
Georgian Dream is crushing Georgia's civil society, courts, and opposition to entrench one-party rule and Russian influence; only targeted U.S. and EU sanctions can stop it.

The Supreme Court’s Striking Regression on Partisan Gerrymandering
Lost amidst the discussion of the Supreme Court's Callais decision is its treatment of partisan gerrymandering as a legitimate objective.

Authoritarians Keep Telling Us What They Fear. We Should Listen.
Research shows that, more than military strikes or sanctions, authoritarians fear support for independent media, anti-censorship tech, and civil society.

What Hungary’s Anti-Corruption Election Can Teach U.S. Democracy Advocates
Hungary's anti-corruption win offers U.S. democracy advocates lessons, but success requires a credible messenger and a concrete plan.

No, Trump Can’t Withhold Anti-Terrorism Funds to Pressure States to Change Their Election Rules
The attempt to condition states' counterterrorism funding on changes to election rules is unlawful and likely to be challenged in court.