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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3,432 Articles
A cellphone is held in front of a computer screen displaying multiple videos of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the word "Real" featured under videos on the lefthand side and "Fake" featured on the right. The phone displays a tweet from a META official declaring that deepfaked videos of the Zelenskyy were identified and taken down.

Truth, Trust, and AI: Justice and Accountability for International Crimes in the Era of Digital Deception

The emergence of deepfakes and synthetic media have called into question the authenticity of user-generated evidence in legal proceedings.
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 29: In this photo illustration, the Facebook logo is displayed on the screen of an iPhone in front of a Meta logo on October 29, 2021 in Paris, France. On October 28, during the Facebook Connect virtual conference, Mark Zuckerberg announced the name change of Facebook, believing that the term Facebook was too closely linked to that of the platform of the same name, launched in 2004. It is now official, the Facebook company changes its name and becomes Meta. (Photo illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images)

The Oversight Board Needs Access to Facebook’s Algorithms to do its Job

Meta should cooperate with Board efforts to delve further into algorithms and provide it with access its needs for effective oversight.

Corruption in Ukraine: Myths and Reality

The head of the Ukrainian Bar Association outlines progress and challenges in this parallel fight to the military battle against Russia.
A gate leading to the UN buffer zone in Cyprus and featuring the UN Seal is shown slightly ajar, with the Turkish flag visible in the background.

New UN Special Rapporteur’s Report Underscores Risks of Abusive Counterterrorism

A report from Ben Saul, the new UN expert on counterterrorism and Human Rights, outlines his priorities for the coming years.
The U.S. Capitol building shines in the afternoon light.

Is Secret Law the Solution to an Overbroad Surveillance Authority?

Congress can legislate both responsibly and openly, as long as the administration declassifies certain information that is already in the public domain.

The Right to a Unanimous Verdict and the Jury Instructions in People v. Trump

In The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump, Justice Juan Merchan issued a set of jury instructions—55 pages in length. Merchan permitted the jury to convict based…

“True Threats” and the Difficulties of Prosecuting Threats Against Election Workers 

On August 17th, 2022, ten election workers were conducting primary early voting at the Sunrise Senior Center in Broward County, Florida. Six or seven voters were at the center…
Sheinbaum is shown standing apparently on a stage in a square with people behind her, her arms spread wide in victory and a broad smile on her face.

With Watershed Election, Claudia Sheinbaum Must Address Mexico’s Human Rights Crisis

Winning the most votes ever and controlling Congress and most state legislatures, the first woman to hold the office will have the power.
SPLA Leader John Garang extends his hand in greeting into a crowd of Sudanese civilians.

Rebel Laws in Conflict: From Law-Taking to Law-Making and Law-Adapting

While legislating is traditionally seen as a role of the State, armed groups impose “rebel law” over ~64 million people in contested regions.
Computer screen displaying a Chinese AI chat bot. An error message in Chinese characters states, "Try another question" in response to an inquiry about a potential war with Taiwan.

Open Source AI: The Overlooked National Security Imperative

The AI-driven world of the future will be highly dependent on the widespread availability of open source models.
The image shows a crowd holding banners and placards. One large banner says, "Solidarity Trumps Hate," and another says, "Black Trans Lives Matter."

Clowns, Reverse Boycotts, and Involuntary Walkathons: How Communities are Making Political Violence Backfire

Across the US, community action is raising the costs of political violence while strengthening pro-democracy norms and behaviors.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs the courthouse

A Manhattan Jury Has Placed a Question Mark on the Trump Presidency

Through the jury instructions, the falsified records became inseparable from what prosecutors described as a “subversion of democracy.”
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