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.
3,393 Articles
What the Latest Session of the Commission on the Status of Women Reveals About Global Rights
CSW emphasized that women are at the forefront of combating global backsliding, and preserving their rights remains central to protecting rule of law and global stability.
The Truth Behind Section 702 Query Statistics
Authors write that Congress must now impose a warrant requirement for Section 702 access to Americans' communications.
A Response to the Brennan Center’s “Myths and Facts” on Section 702 Backdoor Searches
A warrant mandate is unnecessary, legally mistaken, and damaging to national security as the program faces expiration on April 20, 2026.
A Survey of Sovereign Standing: Developments in State-Led Lawsuits Against the Federal Government
Recent state-led cases against the federal government demonstrate the range of injuries that states are successfully asserting under the current doctrines of state standing.
How Secretary Mullin Can Reform DHS
If Secretary Mullin is serious about reforming DHS, then he should consider the following list of suggestions, based on information provided by whistleblowers.
Claude and the Constitution: Questions Congress Should Ask Before Renewing Section 702
Experts share questions Congress, journalists, and the public should ask executive branch officials on surveillance authorities.
AI Needs Accountability. We Can’t Rely on Companies and Governments Alone.
In a functioning democracy, citizens don’t fear who is in power because rules, not rulers, hold sway. The same principle should govern the future of AI.
The Trump Administration’s Strategy for Reshaping Elections
The 2026 midterms is a critical test for whether election outcomes are determined by the will of the voters or by who controls the machinery of elections.
Cuba Libre: One Man’s Morality or Our Law?
We former JAGs must find new ways to examine, protest, and talk to our fellow Americans about this administration’s flagrant and accelerating misuse of the armed forces.
DHS’s Revolving Door: The Need for Experienced Leadership in Dangerous Times
DHS sits at the center of a rapidly converging threat landscape. Now more than any time since DHS’s history, it begs for an extraordinary leadership team.
Ban Pay-to-Play National Security Approvals
Congress must ban demands for payment to the government for national-security related approvals and prohibit companies from making these payments.
Criminal Justice Reform Didn’t End — It Decentralized
While federal rhetoric and policy have shifted sharply in a punitive direction, state governments continue to serve as the primary engines of criminal justice reform.