Democracy & Rule of Law
Democratic Backsliding & Solutions
185 Articles

How Defending Free Speech Can Unite Unlikely Allies
The Trump administration's threats to First Amendment rights have inspired a broad front defending free speech, freedom of the press, protest rights and more.

Sanitized and Unreviewable: Unpacking the Supreme Court’s Mullin v Doe on Ending Temporary Protected Status for 1.3m Noncitizens
Leading immigration expert unpacks the Supreme Court's ruling on temporary protected status for Haitian and Syrian residents in U.S.

The Last Check: Magistrate Judges and Federal Seizures of Election Records
A magistrate judge's review of a search-warrant application may be the last meaningful safeguard against federal interference in an election.

The Collateral Damage of Anti-Trans Policymaking
From healthcare bans to funding cuts, the consequences of hate-driven policymaking opposing transgender rights ripple broadly across communities.

The Cynicism Behind the Administration’s Proposed Forced Labor Tariffs
The labor issues the U.S. Trade Representative claims to investigate are real problems. They should not become pretexts for tariffs the administration already wants.

US-Central African Republic Deportation Agreement Escalates Attack on Immigrants and Puts Lives at Risk
Congress should demand transparency and require the U.S. government to publicly release third-country deportation agreements, including with the Central African Republic.

Protecting Environmental Rights Defenders Is Key to Giving Communities a Voice
Environmental human rights defenders must be empowered to design and implement their own forms of collective protection to shift the power imbalance.

The Lessons of Zambia’s RightsCon Cancellation for International Democracy Promotion
The once-lauded Zambian president's nixing of a major digital rights conference shows the risks of lionizing individual leaders without a backup plan.

China’s Global ‘Concierge Services’ to Strengthen Fellow Authoritarians
China's intrusive military, economic, and diplomatic aid to Russia, Iran, and others spreads autocratic practices such as secrecy, censorship, surveillance, and corruption.

In Addition to Chinese Pressure, a Backsliding Democracy May Explain Zambia’s Decision to Cancel a Major Human Rights Summit
Zambia’s cancellation of RightsCon is an indication not only of China’s influence, but also the country's own democratic erosion under a government that promised otherwise.

Planning for America’s Democratic Renewal Must Start Now: Lessons from Poland
Poland’s recovery from democratic backsliding shows how hard the process can be -- and why U.S. reformers should start planning now for lawful, durable renewal.

The Middle East War Will Reshape Africa’s Democratic Trajectory
The economic fallout across Africa from the Iran war will have major impact on the well-being of African citizens and the prospects for democracy on the continent.