The Twin Crises of Public Health and the Rule of Law
When the COVID-19 virus began crossing borders in early 2020, it did so amidst a continuing, global downturn in the rule of law—as reported in our latest WJP Rule of Law Index. Unfortunately, one crisis holds the potential to feed the other, with gaps in the rule of law threatening effective public health responses, and the pandemic creating a political, social, and economic context that puts further pressure on good governance.
Amidst the turmoil, identifying promising approaches to these challenges can help guide an effective recovery process and assist in building back better rule-of-law-based societies. That is why the World Justice Project is focusing knowledge- and awareness-building activities across four issue areas where the public health crisis and rule of law intersect most urgently: corruption, accountable governance, fundamental rights, and access to justice for all. Our series of policy briefs, available below, highlights emerging concerns in each of these areas.