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.
3,361 Articles
How Should FOIA Be Reformed to Prevent Further Abuse of Redactions?
To ensure the FOIA is not weaponized and used as an instrument of secrecy, Congress should reform the statute to mirror how the deliberative process privilege is treated in the…
Reevaluating Our Counter-Terrorism Information Sharing Methods
Senator Hassan writes for Just Security about bipartisan legislation that she introduced with Republican Senator Johnson of Wisconsin, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental…
![A redacted email from Elaine McCuster on August 27, 2019 at 12:02am to Eric Chewning and cc-ed David Norquist and John Rood with the subject line, “RE: [Non-DoD Source] Ukraine (USAI funding).” The text of the email is redacted but there is an attachment listed with the name, “smime.p7s”](https://i0.wp.com/www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Screen-Shot-2019-12-30-at-9.54.22-PM-e1578422584340.png?fit=1024%2C418&ssl=1)
Did the Trump Administration Abuse the Redactions Process?
The so-called deliberative process privilege allows federal agencies to redact internal policy debates, but it is often abused.
CVE’s Relevance and Challenges: Central Asia as Surprising Snapshot
With its traditional over-emphasis on security-heavy responses to threats, experts didn't expect the region to be so receptive to "whole-of-society" approaches to counter violent…
The Soleimani Strike and War Powers
Key Legal Questions, With Preview of a New Research Database
Three Cheers for Speaker Pelosi’s Pause
"The gap between the House vote impeaching President Clinton and the Senate trial was five weeks; patience like empathy seems to be in short supply this season."
Exclusive: Unredacted Ukraine Documents Reveal Extent of Pentagon’s Legal Concerns
Just Security has viewed unredacted emails, which tell the behind-the-scenes story of the defense and budget officials who had to carry out the president’s unexplained hold on…
Selective Disclosure of OLC legal Opinions Isn’t Enough
The ad hoc release of OLC opinions raises more fundamental questions about the role of the OLC and the public’s right to know how the executive branch interprets the law.
The Senate Must Conduct an Impeachment Trial That Is Serious and Fair
The American people deserve an impeachment trial that is fair and serious. The Chief Justice and the members of the Senate should deliver one.
The Trump-Giuliani Election Plan: Manipulating Voters
The public debate has included frequent reference to the potential destructive effects: illegal foreign interference in a presidential election that damages America’s democracy…
A National Security Impeachment
"What this standoff also reveals is a deeper threat to our constitutional system, and a pathway forward for legislators to guard against abuses by this and future presidents."
The House Should Pause Impeachment
"It’s better for the House and for the country to hit pause, and turn now to the courts for resolution."