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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3,363 Articles
The International Criminal Court's prosecutor Fatou Bensouda gives a press conference in Sudan's capital Khartoum on October 20, 2020, at the conclusion of her five-day visit to the country.

National Security This Week at the United Nations (Oct 30-Nov 6)

 “Unwavering Support” for ICC Amid U.S. Sanctions  72 countries at the U.N. on Monday offered their “unwavering support” for the International Criminal Court…
Executive Orders regarding trade lay on the Resolute desk in the Oval Office of the White House March 31, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Destroying Federal Documents During a Presidential Transition Is a Federal Crime

Destroying or stealing documents belonging to the United States government is a crime.
A sign that reads, "Dead End."

No, State Legislatures Cannot Overrule the Popular Vote

Trump supporters' idea of state Legislatures' picking electors to overrule Americans' votes in Pennsylvania or elsewhere is a complete non-starter.
National Guard soldiers patrol the streets of Philadelphia the morning after Americans voted in the presidential election on November 04, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Initial Risk Assessment for U.S. Post-Election Violence

President Donald Trump's false statements about the results are the primary driver for the increased threat of post-election violence.
An Oregon State police officer stands next to a balloon outside the Police Union building in Portland, Oregon, on September 4, 2020.

An Analytic Framework for Assessing Risks of U.S. Post-Election Violence

"When I served as a senior analyst for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, I developed frameworks to evaluate the risk of election-related instability overseas. As a National…
A poll worker helps a voter fill out a provisional ballot at Park Tavern polling station on November 3, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Civic Leaders Are Stepping up to Safeguard the Election and Our Rule of Law

Civic leaders of all stripes can perform a critical function, by setting high expectations for officials and the public, urging responsible and peaceful conduct, and reinforcing…
'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.
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