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.
3,397 Articles
Systemic Racist Police Brutality Shocks the Conscience of Humanity, but is it an International Crime?
(Editor’s note: To mark today’s 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia, Just Security is publishing two articles. In addition to this piece by Margaret deGuzman…
Is the Pardon Power Unlimited?
Let Trump be forewarned: don’t even think about pardoning Stone, Manafort, or Flynn.
Pardoning Roger Stone Could Itself Be an Unpardonable Crime
In addition to being a brazen abuse of power, a pardon could put both Trump and Stone at risk of further criminal liability for conspiracy to obstruct justice. And, in doing so,…
Under Cover of COVID at the UN: Why Counterterrorism Is Not the Answer to a Pandemic
Contrary to the UN's "CT Week" idea, the security sector's record makes it ill-fit to address the critical health needs of diverse populations.
Is the Supreme Court Undercutting Congress’ Ability to Check Abuses of Presidential Power?
Yesterday’s Supreme Court rulings holding that the president is not immune from subpoenas issued by Congress and local law enforcement were a relief to many. But even as the…
Colombian Peace Efforts on Life Support Amid the COVID-19 Response
In the context of COVID-19 emergency measures, Latin American democracies are like high-risk patients that suffer from at least four underlying conditions: authoritarian trends,…
UN’s “Counter-Terrorism Week” Misses the Mark in Marginalizing Civil Society
The UN is ignoring the calls of more than 400 CSOs just a month ago for a different approach to effectively counter terrorism. The outcome will be clear.
Forced Family Separation During COVID-19: Preventing Torture and Inhumane Treatment in Crisis
The US government is threatening forced separation of migrant families again, this time with the added coercion of risking COVID exposure if they stay together.
The Odd Couple at the Center of the U.N.’s Counterterrorism Growth
Outsized funding from Saudi Arabia and Qatar underlies key weaknesses in UN efforts, illustrated in this first virtual "CT Week" at the United Nations.
Iraqi Researcher’s Death Adds Urgency to Penalizing Iran-Backed Militias With New U.K. “Magnitsky” Law
Hisham al-Hashimi exposed human rights violations and corruption. The British penalties would reinforce similar US measures and support Iraqi reforms.
U.S. “National Security” Must Apply to the Entire Nation
The US history of racial discrimination creates a domestic threat far more serious to some of its citizens than those posed by external antagonists.
Rehabilitating and Reintegrating Child Returnees from ISIS
After the collapse of the self-styled Islamic State militant group (ISIS), many people were left homeless and stateless in refugee camps in Syria and Iraq. Nearly 49,000 children…