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
Consequences of Federal Failure: Lessons from New York City in the Pandemic
A city is the form of government best positioned to understand the needs of its constituents. But the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the ways in which local government, even…
Manafort and His Ukraine Patron: “FinCEN Files” Further Illustrate Gaping Holes in Oversight
Leaked documents in a global news investigation reveal suspicious transactions and business practices that undermine US interests.
GIFCT: Possibly the Most Important Acronym You’ve Never Heard Of
The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) raises questions about who decides what counts as terrorism or the even more loosely defined extremism.
Don’t Believe Trump’s Latest Con: The Strongman
Just as it would be dangerous to underestimate Trump, it is similarly dangerous to overestimate him.
Ten Quick Takeaways from the New York Times’ Bombshell Article on Trump’s Tax Returns
One of the country's most eminent tax law experts analyzes the information provided by the New York Times.
Ethiopian Democracy Veers Off Track: What’s at Stake
Meaningful security and economic partnership with the US requires a stability that is authentic, sustainable, consensus-driven, and democratic.
Access to Information During a Pandemic – A Matter of Life or Death
Sept. 28 marks the first International Day for Universal Access to Information. As the pandemic reveals, access to timely and accurate information has never been more vital. And…
Bill Barr’s Misguided View of US History
His grumble that coronavirus-related restrictions constitute the greatest civil liberties violation since slavery ignores a litany of government abuses.
Trump Can’t Lawfully Use Armed Forces to Sway the Election: Understanding the Legal Boundaries
A deep dive analysis of the constitutional and statutory limits on use of any armed force in connection with the 2020 election, civil unrest, and protests.
Justifying Absolute Political Control over DOJ, Barr Promotes Myth of Unaccountable Career Prosecutor
Attorney General William Barr's inaccurate claims denigrating the ability and appropriateness of federal prosecutors to make certain litigation determinations are merely a fig…
Prepare for the Worst and Fight for the Best: A Citizen’s Guide to 2020 Electoral Interference
"Keeping in mind that one of the most effective ways to neutralize covert activity is to expose it, we hope that assessing Russia’s potential next moves will empower the electorate,…
At Least 15 Trump Officials Do Not Hold Their Positions Lawfully
As of September 2, there were at least 15 offices with acting officials even though the Federal Vacancies Reform Act time limit for those offices had expired.