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.

× Clear Filters
3,157 Articles
Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

8 Top Experts on Strength of Dominion Suing Trump for Defamation, If It Wants To

"Almost every expert said a defamation suit brought by Dominion against Trump would be very strong."
Pro-Ukrainian activists stage a "Die-in" during a protest under the slogan "Stop promising, start acting!" to call for an immediate embargo on oil, gas and coal imports from Russia in front of the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin on April 6, 2022, where a debate focusing on civilians found dead in the Ukrainian town of Bucha took place. (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Щодо України: остерігайтеся пасток тимчасових миротворчих угод

Якщо шкідники не будуть повністю маргіналізовані та не будуть створені системи управління, які…
Pro-Ukrainian activists stage a "Die-in" during a protest under the slogan "Stop promising, start acting!" to call for an immediate embargo on oil, gas and coal imports from Russia in front of the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin on April 6, 2022, where a debate focusing on civilians found dead in the Ukrainian town of Bucha took place. (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

On Ukraine, Beware the Pitfalls of Interim Peacemaking Deals

Such terms would result in a win for Moscow and contribute to broader geostrategic instability that for Putin is the main point.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Former White House counsel Pat Cipollone is seen on a video display during the seventh hearing held by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol on July 12, 2022 in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC. The bipartisan committee, which has been gathering evidence related to the January 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol for almost a year, is presenting its findings in a series of televised hearings.

The January 6th Hearings: Criminal Evidence Tracker Seventh Edition

Tracking two federal crimes and one Georgia state crime with evidence presented by the House Select Committee investigating January 6th.
Acting US Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell whispers in US Vice President Mike Pence's ear as US President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 4, 2020. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

US Democracy’s Survival Requires a More Powerful Response to January 6th

Team Trump's shocking efforts to manipulate government institutions to overturn the 2020 election results echo despots abroad.
Image: A group of about 12 men, all wearing white cowboy hats, sit around a conference table. Texas Governor Greg Abbott sits at the end of the table, speaking, in front of the seal of the state of Texas and flanked by American and Texas flags. AUSTIN, TX - JULY 10: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a border security briefing with sheriffs from border communities at the Texas State Capitol on July 10, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)

The Biden Administration’s Options for Responding to Abbott’s Unconstitutional Border Enforcement Executive Order

The Texas governor has invoked war powers to respond to migrant arrivals at the border - potentially usurping federal prerogatives.
A noose is displayed on a projector screen as U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, delivers opening remarks during the third hearing on the January 6th investigation in the Cannon House Office Building on June 16, 2022 in Washington, DC.

January 6th and America’s Ambivalence about Political Accountability

Real accountability requires placing the events of January 6th in the context of ongoing efforts to perpetuate election disinformation.
Committee members attend the fifth hearing held by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2022 in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC.

Strongest Evidence of Guilt: Chart Tracking Trump’s Knowledge and Intent in Efforts to Overturn the Election

Key facts — concerning President Trump’s knowledge and beliefs when trying to overturn the election — based on Jan 6 hearings.
Image: Hands hold a smartphone, the screen of which shows a series of chat messages in Chinese. The background is dark. This picture taken on July 16, 2021 shows user Melissa messaging her virtual boyfriend - a chatbot created by XiaoIce, an artificial intelligence system designed to create emotional bonds with its estimated 660 million users worldwide - on her mobile phone in Beijing. - (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

The Existential Threat of AI-Enhanced Disinformation Operations

As AI capabilities improve, they will become increasingly effective tools for manipulating and fooling humans - with political, social, and epistemological consequences.
Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., stand after to reading the final certification of Electoral College votes cast in November's presidential election during a joint session of Congress, after working through the night, at the Capitol on January 7, 2021 in Washington, DC.

A Historical Perspective on Alternate Electors: Lessons from Hayes-Tilden

The attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election has raised questions about a historical example in which self-proclaimed electoral votes were sent to, and considered by,…
A collage of images featuring Marjorie Taylor Green, Allen West and Roger Stone with right-wing militia groups.

The GOP’s Militia Problem: Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and Lessons from Abroad

Scholar of comparative politics and expert on descent of political parties into use of violence/militia discusses the danger signs in United States.
Military members stand during rescue and search operations in front of a damaged facade of a hit by shelling apartment building on June 26, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Protecting Civilians from Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas: A New Political Declaration

On June 17, states gathered at the United Nations (U.N.) in Geneva to discuss the final draft of a potentially ground-breaking political declaration that sets new and express standards…
1-12 of 3,157 items

DON'T MISS A THING. Stay up to date with Just Security curated newsletters: