It is curious that presidents possess such unaccountable power at all. America’s founders rejected absolute monarchy and its trappings (such as noble titles), and yet the pardon power is descended from just such a monarchical power, the royal prerogative of mercy. Trump’s blatant violation of the original intent of the presidential pardon was just one of many challenges he posed to the political system established by the US Constitution. Johnson displays similarly worrying traits. Faced with such threats, courts and legislatures need to recall their true purpose: preventing the unchecked exercise of executive power. By Nicholas Reed Langen.
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Results for rule of law
Thursday 18 March 2021
London, United Kingdom
Tuesday 27 October 2020
London, United Kingdom
For those who have only ever known America as a champion of democracy and the rule of law, it has been tragic to witness the country's descent into corruption and bad-faith partisanship. And nowhere is the rule of "dark money" more evident than in the rushed confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett's appointment to the Supreme Court. By Chris Patten.
Friday 29 November 2019
Oxford, United Kingdom
Since its invention in ancient Greece more than 2,500 years ago, democracy has depended on rules and institutions that strike a balance between participation and power. The objective is to create a system of governance in which elected leaders bring to bear their knowledge and experience, in order to advance the interests of the people. The rule of law and the separation of powers, guaranteed by a system of checks and balances, are vital. Democracies all over the world are enduring a stress test. If they are to pass, their institutional underpinnings must be reinforced. That requires, first and foremost, an understanding of what those underpinnings are, why they matter, and who is trying to dismantle them. By Alexandra Borchardt
Friday 27 September 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A three-year Tonga Justice Sector Support Program was launched on September 26 with the aim of developing more inclusive, sustainable and responsive good governance, with law and order.
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Monday 26 November 2018
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Prime Minister Pohiva has been an oppositional leader in Tonga's government since 1987...now that he is the Prime Minister and head of government, he still continues with the same mindset of governing in opposition, undermining his very own government. He opposes the majority of Tongans who decry his outrageous disregard for following policies, procedures, and the law. Simply put, PM Pohiva does not practice what he once preached passionately: democracy. - 'Ana Tausinga.
Thursday 22 October 2015
3 comments
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga government’s foreign relations, its education system and its stance on the rule of law are issues that have suddenly confronted the public with mass confusion during the past few days. The authorities must now clarify where we stand or risk further loss of credibility. Editor’s Comment by Pesi Fonua
