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.
3,363 Articles

Reckoning with State-Sanctioned Racial Violence: Lessons from the Tulsa Race Massacre
Top legal scholar outlines five "features of what a capacious commitment to democratic repair in the wake of state violence might mean" for Tulsa.

Introduction to Just Security’s Series on Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921
This article introduces a new series on the hundredth anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The series will bring together experts to re-examine different aspects of the Tulsa…

What Do Future U.S. Generals Think About Dissent, Disobedience, and Resignation?
Survey research suggests respect for civilian-control appears to be the exception, not the norm, among a significant portion of the senior military officers who participated.

A New Consensus Around Transparency and National Security Surveillance
Civil libertarian arguments that were dismissed a decade ago are now broadly accepted, even at the highest levels of the intelligence community.

Beyond the Coup: Can the United Nations Escape Its History in Myanmar?
After decades of awkward and all-around frustrating engagement, the U.N. needs to step forward with a more flexible and conscious approach that shows it has learned from past mistakes.

Why Fighting White Supremacy Is Important for America’s Role in World
Only by addressing its most dire democracy crises at home can the United States speak with authority abroad.

The Passionate Intensity of Ammon Bundy and the People’s Rights Movement
Ammon Bundy remains an influential figure, and as Jan. 6 proved, the well of anti-government sentiment is deeper than many realized.

The Next Best Option if a January 6 Commission Fails
"On balance, a House select committee is not the optimal vehicle to investigate the January 6 insurrection.... but it might be the best one available." How this path could be made…

Same Data, Same Strategy: A New Look at How the Trump Campaign and Russian Intelligence Operated in 2016
The recent Biden administration sanctions on the Russian government are part of an ongoing effort to push back against the Kremlin’s malign influence campaign against the West.…

On Christchurch Call Anniversary, a Step Closer to Eradicating Terrorism Online?
Governments, including now the US, and companies take stock on the second anniversary of the New Zealand mosque shootings.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: The Need for an Inclusive Accountability
The Feb. 1 coup made it clear that when it comes to maintaining its grip on power, the Tatmadaw does not discriminate. The brutality with which it has consistently engaged with…

The World Is Watching: The US Should Follow Its Own Advice and Establish a 1/6 Commission
Overseas, the U.S. government has repeatedly advocated for – and even demanded – commissions in the wake of national crises similar to Jan. 6.