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.

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3,152 Articles
Trump speaks in the Oval Office before signing an executive order related to regulating social media on May 28, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Trump’s Executive Order Targets Twitter, Capitalizing on Right-Wing Grievance

Even if it doesn't lead to action, the threat of regulatory pressure aims to bully social media companies into continuing their hands-off approach to Trump.
Press Briefing by Ms. E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

A Conversation With U.N. Special Rapporteur E. Tendayi Achiume: COVID-19, Racism, and Xenophobia

Editor’s Note: This piece is part of Just Security‘s United Nations Special Rapporteurs on #COVID-19 series, in which mandate holders offer their views on pressing…
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes a question from a reporter during a news conference at the State Department on April 29, 2020.

State’s Selective Cooperation with Congress Raises Legal Questions that Demand Answers

The State Department appears to be engaged in coordinated cooperation with an oversight investigation designed to harm Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, while ignoring…
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern briefs the media about the COVID-19 coronavirus at the Parliament House in Wellington on April 27, 2020.

What a “Feminist” Approach to Fighting COVID-19 Might Have Achieved

Imagine a global security structure based on principles of cooperation, human security, pragmatism, transparency, and inclusivity.
Side by side photographs of Eli Lake and Michael Flynn. The photo of Eli Lake is at a new America Foundation event. The photo of Michael Flynn is him coming out of a courthouse.

Eli Lake’s Omissions and Misleading Facts in Defense of Michael Flynn

Lake's essay has been called “the best summary of the pro-Flynn argument you'll ever read,” but former US Attorney and Professor Barbara McQuade finds Lake's analysis omits…
Trump

Ten Days that Show Why Trump’s Wrong on Terrorism

Three events in the past 10 days have shown that, for all of his talk about getting tough on terrorists, President Donald Trump lacks any real understanding of how to protect America…
A protester looks at riot police officers during a protest against the government of President Sebastian Piñera on March 20, 2020 in Santiago, Chile.

Advancing Rights and Justice During a Pandemic: An Online Event Series

Watch leading scholars and practitioners from around the world discuss the human rights and social justice implications. And then join in.
Trump at a roundtable in the State Dining Room of the White House May 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.

The President’s Inversion of the Government’s Ethical Conduct Standards, Right Before Americans’ Eyes

The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (Standards of Conduct) on this topic could not be clearer, and the president's statements contradicting those…
People carry on September 15, 2019, pictures of relatives who were killed during the Israeli occupation of south Lebanon, as they take part in a demonstration in front of the former Israeli-run prison of Khiyam on the border with Israel, to demand the trial of a former member of the pro-Israel South Lebanon Army SLA who has recently been arrested.

The US Goes to Bat for Lebanon’s “Butcher of Khiam”

American intervention in Lebanon's trial of Amer Fakhoury undermines the rule of law and disregards obligations under the Convention against Torture.
Mr. David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, speaks at a press briefing.

A Conversation With U.N. Special Rapporteur David Kaye: COVID-19 and Freedom of Expression

Ryan Goodman, Just Security's co-editor-in-chief, recently posed a series of questions to David Kaye, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression.
Trump speaks in the Rose Garden without a face mask on May 15, 2020. Dr. Anthony Fauci stands behind him with a face mask.

Nine Questions for the White House Physician on the President’s Use of Hydroxychloroquine

President Donald Trump’s announcement on May 18 that he had secretly begun taking the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine 10 days before coincides with the revelation that two…
Michael Flynn leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on June 24, 2019 in Washington, DC.

An Inquiry into DOJ’s Decision to Drop the Flynn Case Can’t Be Left to Judge Sullivan Alone

More than just wrong, interim U.S. Attorney Timothy Shea's filing of the motion also may have violated legal and DOJ ethics rules.
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