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.

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3,181 Articles
People hold a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Squar

Syrians’ Pursuit of Freedom and Self-Governance: Prioritizing a Locally-Driven and Incremental Approach to Constitutionalism

Syrian policymakers should pursue a locally-driven and incremental approach to constitutionalism for a more cohesive and just future.
Laurent Vinatier is escorted to a courtroom

The Spreading Impact of Restrictive ‘Foreign Agent’ Laws and How to Stop Them

Such measures not only gut civil society as incubators of citizen involvement and connection with government, they spill beyond borders.
Donald Trump sits with Thomas Homan, who is speaking.

The Public Framing of Mass Deportation

The Trump administration will be pressured to rely on deceptive representations of what exactly its deportation programs entail.
The officers are arrayed next to each other against a solid dark backdrop, with the woman on the left and the four men to the viewer's right.

Interpol General Assembly Inches Forward on Transparency, Still Needs Reform Strategy

Amid a trend toward more openness in the police-coordination agency, further action is needed to prevent abuse of systems such as red notices.

Cutting Through the Noise to Trump’s Claimed Immunity in NY Felonies Case

When President-elect Donald Trump’s latest motion to dismiss his felony convictions in New York hit reporters’ in-boxes on Tuesday, it was immediately clear that the dominant…
Protesters take part in a march against South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol as they head toward the National Assembly

Expert Q&A on South Korea: Martial Law and Its Aftermath

Expert Victor Cha unpacks South Korean President Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration and the impact on US and regional ties.
The photo shows the backs of three figures standing in a street in the dark, one wearing a white flag with a red cross on it, with explosions of what looks like fireworks, apparently weapons fire, in the background.

Open Letter on Georgia from Former US Diplomats

Former US officials working on Georgian-US relations condemn violent crackdown on protesters in Tbilisi and recommend US policy measures.
On the left, the lower body of a soldier holding a rifle behind a fence. One the right, a white truck.

Deployment of the U.S. Military for Immigration Enforcement: A Primer

An expert explainer by leading expert on the domestic deployment of the U.S. military.
A man walks away from the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse in Washington, DC

Trump’s Legal Battles Over Jan. 6 Are Still Alive and Relevant

A breakdown of the civil cases that will still proceed against President Trump, with new rounds of briefs due on Weds.
Various countries' flags in front of UN building and fence with UN symbol

Key UN Committee Clears Path for Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Negotiations

After years of delay, the UN Sixth Committee cleared a path for negotiations on a global treaty regarding the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.
The episode title appears with sound waves behind it.

The Just Security Podcast: A Major Breakthrough Towards a Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity

The U.N.'s Sixth Committee recently adopted a resolution for negotiations on a treaty to prevent and punish crimes against humanity.
Image of the text of the 14h amendment in cursive. Black text against yellowed paper.

Birthright Citizenship and Undocumented Immigrants

"If the new administration goes through with this proposal whether by executive action or legislation, courts should and most likely would strike it down."
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