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.
3,536 Articles

Alarms Raised in Central African Republic: Pre-Election Fighting Threatens Civilians and Fragile Peace
Ahead of elections this weekend, risks of a dramatic escalation of violence and political crisis in Central African Republic. What you need to know.

Invoking Martial Law to Reverse the 2020 Election Could be Criminal Sedition
In his increasingly desperate bid to hang on to the White House, President Trump is reportedly contemplating invoking martial law to force the invalidation of the results of the…

Pardongate 2.0: Prosecutors and Congress Investigated Clinton’s Pardons. The Same Should Happen to Trump.
There's ample precedent (the investigations of Bill Clinton's pardons) and ample reason for Congress and the Department of Justice to launch investigations into President Trump's…

Serbia’s Delicate Dance with the EU and China
While European Union membership would be beneficial to Serbia as a whole, it may not serve the interests of the country’s ruling elites.

Risk of Election-Related Violence Remains, Here’s What Could Reduce It
Six weeks after the election, the United States still faces an elevated risk of political violence despite the Electoral College certifying the result and the courts upholding…

The System Is Not Working: The Lopsided Election Result, Not The Courts, Saved Our Democracy
The president’s post-election litigation has crashed and burned, but it has reinforced the pernicious idea, born from Bush v. Gore, that it is appropriate for courts to step…

As China Promotes Authoritarian Model, the Resilience of Its Democratic Targets is Key
Pro-democracy political leaders, activists, and media can build on their successes against such influence with help from the world’s leading democracies.

How Biden Can Defeat Strategic Corruption
An incoming president can designate strategic corruption as a national security threat, giving the Treasury Department the task of managing an interagency anti-corruption task…

Pandemic Consequences: The Acceleration of Confrontational Politics
The disruptive potential of this trend will remain a core challenge to political stability as the world staggers toward post-pandemic life.
A Roadmap for Reform: How the Biden Administration Can Revitalize the Office of Legal Counsel
As President-Elect Joe Biden announces his picks for cabinet positions, the Nation’s focus has increasingly turned to the challenges facing the incoming administration. One such…

Needed: A Whistleblower Protection Paradigm Shift
What should be done to provide truly meaningful and effective protections for government employees or contractors seeking to expose wrongdoing in the Intelligence Community?

To Prevent Atrocities, Break Bureaucratic Silos, Don’t Build A New One
Attempts to reduce risks of mass atrocities will be stronger if they are integrated with policy efforts to prevent conflict, address fragility, and counter extremism.