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.
3,393 Articles
The ICESCR in Armed Conflict: Submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Experts argue ICESCR applies in armed conflict and caution against broad claims of international humanitarian law as lex specialis.
In Addition to Chinese Pressure, a Backsliding Democracy May Explain Zambia’s Decision to Cancel a Major Human Rights Summit
Zambia’s cancellation of RightsCon is an indication not only of China’s influence, but also the country's own democratic erosion under a government that promised otherwise.
“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.
Dangerous Speech in Disguise: The White House’s New “Aliens” Website Is Not a Joke
The White House’s new Aliens.gov website uses fear, dehumanizing rhetoric, and conspiracy themes to build public support for mass deportations.
The Weaponization of GLOMAG: How Rivals Co-opt U.S. Sanctions to Target Business and Political Opponents
The U.S. human rights and anticorruption sanctions architecture is vulnerable to exploitation by the very actors it was designed to confront.
I Was Afghanistan’s Attorney General. Here Is What Justice Looked Like — and What Destroyed It.
Afghanistan’s justice system took 20 years to build and 11 days to destroy. Former Attorney General Mohammad Farid Hamidi outlines the ongoing fight for accountability.
How the Twenty-Fifth Amendment Applies Today
Yale Law School's Peter Gruber Rule of Law Clinic has updated its Reader's Guide to the 25th Amendment to cover Trump and Biden-era developments.
Delegation of Tariff Authority by Other Means
After the Supreme Court limited IEEPA tariff authority, the Trump administration turned to Section 301, raising new questions about executive power, trade law, and delegation.
Planning for America’s Democratic Renewal Must Start Now: Lessons from Poland
Poland’s recovery from democratic backsliding shows how hard the process can be -- and why U.S. reformers should start planning now for lawful, durable renewal.
The Middle East War Will Reshape Africa’s Democratic Trajectory
The economic fallout across Africa from the Iran war will have major impact on the well-being of African citizens and the prospects for democracy on the continent.
FEPA’s First Test: Protecting American Companies Returning to Venezuela
If FEPA is enforced seriously, U.S. companies operating in Venezuela will be able to push back against bribe demands with the full weight of U.S. law behind them.
A Mid-Life Crisis for Senate Intelligence?
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, prompting reflection on lessons learned and potential new directions.