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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3,333 Articles
'I voted early' stickers sit on a table at the Brooklyn Armory during early voting on October 28, 2020 in New York City.

Election Law Primer: What to Expect During and After the 2020 Election

Assessing the Supreme Court's most recent rulings and the election scenarios to watch out for.
A chart measuring media and social media mentions of mail-in voting or absentee balloting and fraud or election rigging from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. The y axis is measured as a percent ranging from 0% to 900% and the x axis is a measure of time with markers for every seven days. The line measuring “tweets compared to mean” has the largest peaks on approximately 4/7, 5/11, 5/23, 5/27, 6/23, 6/28, and 7/12. The graph also shows images of Trump’s tweets and screenshots from news stations.

Six Disinformation Threats in the Post-Election Period

Those seeking to sow discord may be keeping their powder dry until after November 3rd.
Parchment paper reading, “The Good Governance Papers: A Collection of Essays in favor of public integrity and the rule of law as written upon at Just Security Fall 2020”

Good Governance Paper No. 23: Rebuild and Renew the Diplomatic Corps

Last in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and rule of law.

Good Governance Paper No. 22: Preventing Politicization of the Security Clearance System

Latest in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and the rule of law.
Parchment paper reading, “The Good Governance Papers: A Collection of Essays in favor of public integrity and the rule of law as written upon at Just Security Fall 2020”

Good Governance Paper No. 21: Obedience to Orders, Lawful Orders, and the Military’s Constitutional Compact

Latest in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and the rule of law.
Acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Senior Adviser Jared Kushner arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, on December 7, 2018.

Loyalty Above All: The “Shallow State” of the Trump Administration

A compilation of executive branch positions deprived of competence and expertise, and filled instead with political loyalists.
Parchment paper reading, “The Good Governance Papers: A Collection of Essays in favor of public integrity and the rule of law as written upon at Just Security Fall 2020”

Good Governance Paper No. 20: Repairing and Strengthening Norms of Nuclear Restraint

Latest in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and the rule of law.
A man photographs himself depositing his ballot in an official ballot drop box while a long line of voters queue outside of Philadelphia City Hall at the satellite polling station on October 27, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Easing Election-Related Tensions: Lessons for the US from Elections Abroad

A common trigger of election-related unrest is related to the counting period. Any unexpected pause in tallying or release of results carries risks.
Parchment paper reading, “The Good Governance Papers: A Collection of Essays in favor of public integrity and the rule of law as written upon at Just Security Fall 2020”

Good Governance Paper No. 19: The Criminal Legal System — Toward a Paradigm Shift

Latest in series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and the rule of law.
Parchment paper reading, “The Good Governance Papers: A Collection of Essays in favor of public integrity and the rule of law as written upon at Just Security Fall 2020”

Good Governance Paper No. 18: Reforming Emergency Powers

Latest in series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and rule of law.
Parchment paper reading, “The Good Governance Papers: A Collection of Essays in favor of public integrity and the rule of law as written upon at Just Security Fall 2020”

Good Governance Paper No. 17: How to Use the Bureaucracy to Govern Well

[Editors’ note: This essay is one in a series—the Good Governance Papers—organized by Just Security. In these essays, leading experts explore actionable legislative and…
Parchment paper reading, “The Good Governance Papers: A Collection of Essays in favor of public integrity and the rule of law as written upon at Just Security Fall 2020”

Good Governance Paper No. 16: Legislating Racial Equity Impact Studies in Transportation and Infrastructure Policy

Latest essay in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and the rule of law.
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