From the economy and crime to reproductive rights and climate change, Scripps News is delving into the issues that are important to voters in the lead-up to the summer’s presidential nominating conventions. This week, our focus is on the future of democracy.
A recent report from the World Justice Project examines how the rule of law influences democracy in countries worldwide. The 2023 report highlights a trend of rule of law regression in many countries, characterized by increased executive power, decreased human rights, and justice systems that are not meeting the needs of the people.
The United States ranks 26th globally, with a slight decrease in its overall score compared to the previous year.
The report acknowledges the challenge of defining the rule of law and assesses it based on four key principles: accountability, just laws, transparent government, and accessible and impartial justice.
Recent events have brought the workings of the justice system to the forefront for many Americans. A Supreme Court ruling granted former presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecutions for actions taken while in office, potentially sparing former President Trump from trial before the upcoming election. Additionally, the Trump campaign has responded to controversial statements made by Trump regarding Liz Cheney, accusing her of treason.
To explore how these developments impact perceptions and measurements of the rule of law, Scripps News interviews Elizabeth Andersen, the executive director of the World Justice Project.
Related stories: Judge delays sentencing in Trump’s hush money case following Supreme Court’s immunity ruling
