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.
3,181 Articles

Constitution Day 2019: The Hidden Domestic Surveillance Crisis
As we mark the 232nd anniversary of the signing of America’s governing charter, we have ample evidence that it continues to be violated by the federal officials charged with…

Norms Watch: Damage to Democracy and Rule of Law in August 2019
Editor’s Note: Welcome to the latest installment of Norms Watch, our series tracking both the flouting of democratic norms by the Trump administration and the erosion of those…

18 Years After 9/11, We Face a New International Terrorist Threat
"We as a society should be talking about a new form of international terrorism—white supremacist terrorism—rather than insisting on calling it 'domestic terrorism.'"

Trump and Giuliani’s Quest for Fake Ukraine “Dirt” on Biden: An Explainer
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence last week gave an odd response to a question about whether the United States is withholding $250 million of aid for Ukraine until that country helps…

Nuts and Bolts of the IG Report on Comey: Correcting Misconceptions
On the morning of Aug. 29, I finished up my lecture notes for my first day teaching a class called “Law of Secrecy.” I would touch on classification, leaking, prepublication…

Calling Off Iowa’s “Digital Caucuses” Is a Wise Display of Caution
DNC decision to block Iowa digital caucus deserves praise writes cybersecurity expert.

New Resource Tool Sheds Light on Government’s Prepublication Review System
For more than three years, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University have been litigating a series of Freedom of Information…

War is as War Does: World Order and the Future of Conflict
The release of the first part of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee’s bipartisan investigation into Russia’s 2016 election interference and Robert Mueller’s recent…

Public Document Clearinghouse: Congressional Russia Investigations
To create a public resource, Just Security has compiled significant documents in Congress's various Russia investigations dating back to the 2016 election cycle. ...

Just Security Launches the Russia Investigation Congressional Clearinghouse
The clearinghouse's project director, Andy Wright discusses his inspiration for the project and the features of this new public database.

The Tit-for-Tat Dynamics of 21st Century Extremism
After two decades of focus on militant jihadist terrorism, a broader understanding is developing of another form of extremism – that of the violent far-right or ultra-nationalist…

Expert Summaries of Mueller Report: A Collection
Top legal experts provide condensed, brief summaries of the Special Counsel's report.