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.
3,333 Articles

How Attorney General Garland Can Strengthen FOIA Implementation
Here's what Attorney General Garland's department-wide memorandum on the Freedom of Information of Act should look like.

The Digital Technology Agenda at the Summit for Democracy
"To combat the digital authoritarian threat, democracies must be rallied around a shared values-based vision of digital society and a joint strategic technology agenda."

Protecting Civil Society in Global Counterterrorism: FATF Leads the Way, UN Should Follow
Through the work of advocates, FATF has improved its engagement with and protection of civil society. UN counterterrorism bodies could learn from FATF's approach.

Corruption Is a National Security Threat. The CROOK Act Is a Smart Way to Fight It.
A surcharge on entities liable under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could advance good governance abroad and help create a more stable world.

No Military Solutions: A New Approach to Preventing Atrocities
To be a credible proponent of peace, the US must shed destabilizing security ties and unneeded military capabilities, and invest in conflict prevention.

The Fight Against Kleptocracy Should Look Beyond the West
Efforts that help constrain the enabling environment for corruption in the West do not sufficiently tackle how foreign authoritarian actors turbocharge kleptocracy and the role…

The Noxious Nexus of Money and Politics Takes Another Turn in Central and Southeastern Europe
A Forbes-listed billionaire’s China-fueled deals illustrate the potential security threats of media and telecom capture by authoritarians.

Pluses and Minuses of Pelosi’s Draft Jan. 6 Commission Proposal
"The draft text has some subtle virtues that are being missed by many commentators, and also some weaknesses."

Safeguarding Democracy Among Eastern Europe’s Three Seas
With EU and US help, the Three Seas Initiative can resist Russia's and China's designs on the region by promoting transparency, prosperity, and development.

Chart: Comparing Pelosi’s Draft Legislation on Jan. 6 Commission to Other Bills and Prior Commissions
On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly released a discussion draft of legislation to establish a “9/11-type Commission” to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.…

In India, US Defense Secretary Austin Must Not Overlook Its Democratic Decline
The Indian government’s pattern of repressive actions could undermine its value as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

When War Criminals Run the Government: Not Too Late for the International Community to Vet Sri Lankan Officials
Developing such a list of individuals would signal to survivors some measure of recognition of the atrocities they have suffered.