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.

× Clear Filters
3,364 Articles
(L to R front row) General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo "Hemeti", deputy chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council, speaks with council chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during a reception ceremony in the capital Khartoum on October 8, 2020 upon the arrival of the government negotiating team from Juba where the government and rebel groups had earlier signed a landmark peace deal. - Sudan's government and rebel groups had on October 3 signed a peace deal at a ceremony in the South Sudanese capital Juba, aimed at ending decades of war in which hundreds of thousands have died. (Photo by Ebrahim HAMID / AFP) (Photo by EBRAHIM HAMID/AFP via Getty Images)

Anti-Coup Strategies Should Address Civilian Coup Allies

A robust anti-coup strategy must place the same pressures on civilian collaborators that military coup leaders face.
Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their meeting in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022. Draghi was among the European Union's most powerful leaders visiting Ukraine on June 16 and embracing its bid to be accepted as a candidate for EU membership, in a powerful symbol of support in Kyiv's battle against Russia's invasion. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Путін розглядає політичну кризу в Італії з точки зору потенційної вигоди для послаблення підтримки України

Російські лідери явно зацікавлено спостерігають за політичною кризою.
Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their meeting in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022. Draghi was among the European Union's most powerful leaders visiting Ukraine on June 16 and embracing its bid to be accepted as a candidate for EU membership, in a powerful symbol of support in Kyiv's battle against Russia's invasion. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin Eyes Italy’s Political Crisis for Potential Benefits in Peeling Away Support for Ukraine

If Prime Minister Draghi's governing coalition collapses into early elections, the next government may be far more sympathetic to Russia.
Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

8 Top Experts on Strength of Dominion Suing Trump for Defamation, If It Wants To

"Almost every expert said a defamation suit brought by Dominion against Trump would be very strong."
Pro-Ukrainian activists stage a "Die-in" during a protest under the slogan "Stop promising, start acting!" to call for an immediate embargo on oil, gas and coal imports from Russia in front of the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin on April 6, 2022, where a debate focusing on civilians found dead in the Ukrainian town of Bucha took place. (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Щодо України: остерігайтеся пасток тимчасових миротворчих угод

Якщо шкідники не будуть повністю маргіналізовані та не будуть створені системи управління, які…
Pro-Ukrainian activists stage a "Die-in" during a protest under the slogan "Stop promising, start acting!" to call for an immediate embargo on oil, gas and coal imports from Russia in front of the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin on April 6, 2022, where a debate focusing on civilians found dead in the Ukrainian town of Bucha took place. (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

On Ukraine, Beware the Pitfalls of Interim Peacemaking Deals

Such terms would result in a win for Moscow and contribute to broader geostrategic instability that for Putin is the main point.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Former White House counsel Pat Cipollone is seen on a video display during the seventh hearing held by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol on July 12, 2022 in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC. The bipartisan committee, which has been gathering evidence related to the January 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol for almost a year, is presenting its findings in a series of televised hearings.

The January 6th Hearings: Criminal Evidence Tracker Seventh Edition

Tracking two federal crimes and one Georgia state crime with evidence presented by the House Select Committee investigating January 6th.
Acting US Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell whispers in US Vice President Mike Pence's ear as US President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 4, 2020. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

US Democracy’s Survival Requires a More Powerful Response to January 6th

Team Trump's shocking efforts to manipulate government institutions to overturn the 2020 election results echo despots abroad.
Image: A group of about 12 men, all wearing white cowboy hats, sit around a conference table. Texas Governor Greg Abbott sits at the end of the table, speaking, in front of the seal of the state of Texas and flanked by American and Texas flags. AUSTIN, TX - JULY 10: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a border security briefing with sheriffs from border communities at the Texas State Capitol on July 10, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)

The Biden Administration’s Options for Responding to Abbott’s Unconstitutional Border Enforcement Executive Order

The Texas governor has invoked war powers to respond to migrant arrivals at the border - potentially usurping federal prerogatives.
A noose is displayed on a projector screen as U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, delivers opening remarks during the third hearing on the January 6th investigation in the Cannon House Office Building on June 16, 2022 in Washington, DC.

January 6th and America’s Ambivalence about Political Accountability

Real accountability requires placing the events of January 6th in the context of ongoing efforts to perpetuate election disinformation.
Committee members attend the fifth hearing held by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2022 in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC.

Strongest Evidence of Guilt: Chart Tracking Trump’s Knowledge and Intent in Efforts to Overturn the Election

Key facts — concerning President Trump’s knowledge and beliefs when trying to overturn the election — based on Jan 6 hearings.
Image: Hands hold a smartphone, the screen of which shows a series of chat messages in Chinese. The background is dark. This picture taken on July 16, 2021 shows user Melissa messaging her virtual boyfriend - a chatbot created by XiaoIce, an artificial intelligence system designed to create emotional bonds with its estimated 660 million users worldwide - on her mobile phone in Beijing. - (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

The Existential Threat of AI-Enhanced Disinformation Operations

As AI capabilities improve, they will become increasingly effective tools for manipulating and fooling humans - with political, social, and epistemological consequences.
1-12 of 3,364 items

DON'T MISS A THING. Stay up to date with Just Security curated newsletters: