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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

An Opportunity for Biden to Set the Terms Against Trump’s Plan to Steal the Election
A statement of seven principles that presidential candidates should be able to easily endorse for free and fair elections.

Militarized Counterterrorism in Africa: Moving Beyond a Failed Approach
Leading with a heavy military response, particularly when government partners are repressive, ultimately makes things worse. The need for a new approach is clear. It should focus…

The Women, Peace and Security Agenda at 20: Setbacks, Progress, and the Way Forward
Two decades after the landmark UN resolution, the rise of authoritarianism and extreme rightist ideologies have generated backlash against gender equality and the idea of involving…

Good Governance Paper No. 15: Enforcing the Emoluments Clauses
Fourteenth 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.

A Radically (Modest) Bureaucratic Proposal to Strengthen Democracy and Human Rights at Home and Abroad
Now is the time to fundamentally reform how the executive branch addresses the transnational matter of upholding human rights and advancing democracy at home and abroad. The project…

Good Governance Paper No. 14: War Powers Reform
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.