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
Breaking Ranks in a Civil-Military Crisis: Strategic Communication to Register Dissent
Military leaders have principled options to address a legally questionable political decision while maintaining the rule of law and civilian control.
Manafort’s Reward: Sen. Ron Johnson and the Ukraine Conspiracy Investigation: Part II
How Senator Johnson’s efforts have worked in tandem with Paul Manafort’s efforts — as the former Trump campaign chair has likely remained silent in exchange for a pardon.
Timeline: The Trump Administration and the U.S. Postal Service
A timeline of the pivotal events shaping the U.S. Postal Service that brought us to today's crisis.
Does Mali’s Coup Advance Democracy?
What are the implications of accepting or inviting military intervention in domestic politics in Mali and beyond?
The Cost of Resilience: The Roots and Impacts of the Beirut Blast
The Aug. 4 explosion at the Beirut port is not the cause of catastrophe in Lebanon, it is the result. To understand its causes and impacts, we must look to what came before, including…
How the US and the EU Can Support Belarus Amid Its Historic Protests
The US should work with the EU to isolate Lukashenko and his lieutenants with targeted sanctions, and facilitate a peaceful transition with new elections.
“Head-On Into Peril”: Connecting 9/11 and Law Enforcement Abuses in Portland
"It was no accident that people of color (primarily Black and Latino Americans, and Muslims around the world) were the primary targets of both military and police agencies post-9/11…
Exclusive: Obstruction At All Costs: The State Department’s Petty Document Fight with Congress
The State Department is refusing to comply with a House subpoena for documents that it's already shared with Senate Republicans.
Is Jared Kushner Illegally Soliciting Campaign Help From Kanye West?
This week Forbes broke the story that Jared Kushner, “de facto chief” of President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, has been speaking “regularly,” “almost daily,”…
Political Attacks on Eastern Europe Watchdogs Compound Threats to Democracy
Ombudspersons face similar risks across the region, as autocratic ruling parties seek to remove independent checks on their control.
A Conflict of Interest Raises Questions for State Department’s Top Lawyer
Did Marik String successfully stymy inspector general investigation into his own actions?
I Resigned from U.S. Government After My Own Leaders Began to Act Like the Autocrats I Analyzed
I have seen up close the president’s disdain for democratic values, and recent events should be put in the context of a continuous slide toward authoritarianism.... Each day,…