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
Foreign Interference and the Democratic Self-Defense Trap: A European Perspective Going into the 2026 Midterms
How to safeguard elections against genuine foreign interference while preventing incumbent governments from exploiting allegations of interference to undermine voting rights?
Dissecting DOJ’s Letter to California Election Officials: Empty Threats of Criminal Liability
Legal expert breaks down the Justice Department's letter to California election officials over purported noncitizens voting and mail ballots.
Servant of the Law: The President as Chief Prosecutor
An examination of the constitutional, legal, and ethical constraints on the president when he exercises his power as chief prosecutor.
To Secretary Rubio: Demand Freedom for Uzbekistan’s Political Prisoners
The United States must seize its chance to secure the release of political prisoners in Uzbekistan while it has the leverage to do so.
Filling the Accountability Gap in AI Governance Series
As the risks of artificial intelligence continue to mount, the expert analysis in this series engages the fundamental question of what ought to happen when AI risks manifest into…
Guantanamo Dispatches: Four Possible Obstacles to Jury Selection in the USS Cole Case at Guantanamo Bay
The judge in the USS Cole bombing case postponed the start of jury selection to Oct. 26. Several unresolved issues could delay it further.
Lessons from U.S. Global Anti-Corruption Efforts and Opportunities Ahead
The United States should learn from past mistakes and re-embrace the importance of promoting anti-corruption to its foreign policy.
The Mythos of Digital Sovereignty
AI models such as Anthropic's Claude Mythos raise questions about access to frontier AI and institutional capacity.
De-transition: Northern Ireland and the Ongoing Challenges of Keeping the Peace
The recent Garvaghy Road standoff in Northern Ireland highlights the harsh reality that transitions from conflict are long and fragile processes.
“When the Guardrails Erode” Series
Bringing together expert analysis that traces this erosion, assesses the risks for democratic governance, and outlines pathways to rebuild or even reinvent these safeguards.
Closing Pay-to-Play Loopholes: Strengthening the Ban on Federal Contractor Political Spending
To help curb government corruption, Congress should close the gaps in and expand the ban on contractor political spending.
U.S. Government Responds to Maduro’s Immunity Arguments
Maduro's motion to dismiss on the grounds of head-of-state immunity faces an uphill battle against the U.S. government's opposition.