The Washington-based firm also reviewed the principle of open government, where it analyzed the processes by which the law is adopted, administered and enforced, as well as the principle of implementing accessible impartial justice delivered by competent, ethical and independent representatives. In 2021, 11 new countries were added to the index: Cyprus, Haiti, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Paraguay, Republic of Congo, Slovak Republic and Sudan. With these changes, the index covers the whole of the European Union for the first time. Diplomacy, which involves imposing sanctions, public expression, and granting or revoking trade status, can be a powerful way to force a government to change basic power structures. For example, diplomacy can be used to pressure governments to respect the rights of NGOs to work or civil society to hold open meetings, allowing for accountability. Diplomacy can be dangerous when used to change individual laws, especially those that are culturally tense, as it can lead to a popular backlash against «colonial» impositions or executive actions that circumvent parliaments and the will of the people. It is also difficult to maintain a long-term hard diplomatic line in a country where multiple interests are at work, meaning diplomacy rarely reaches its full potential. However, Germany moved from fifth to sixth place, with the Netherlands replacing it to secure a place in the list of the five nations with the utmost respect for the rule of law. The rule of law is fundamental to international peace, security and political stability; achieving economic and social progress and development; and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. It is fundamental to people`s access to public services, the fight against corruption, the fight against abuse of power and the creation of a social contract between people and the state. The rule of law and development are closely linked, and a strengthened rule of law society should be seen as an outcome of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The rule of law is a set of principles or ideals aimed at ensuring an orderly and just society. Many countries around the world strive to uphold the rule of law, where no one is above the law, where everyone is treated equally before the law, where everyone is held accountable under the same laws, where there are clear and fair procedures for enforcing laws, where there is an independent judiciary and where human rights are guaranteed for all. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms has declined in three-quarters of countries since 2015, and «restrictions on governmental powers» – including judicial, legislative and media oversight – have decreased in two-thirds of the countries surveyed. Since the major overhaul of its judicial system, Denmark has continued to innovate by adding more courts to its judicial structure to better meet the needs of its citizens. The Danes have decided to remove the dependence of their courts on the Ministry of Defense, the government agency that previously oversaw their operations. It can therefore be assumed that Denmark has the most independent legal system among the Scandinavian countries. To ensure accountability, countries and organizations that deliver aid can require very detailed budget reports after funds have been spent, not before, and take more rigorous action that looks at impacts and results – not meaningless results. Index rankings and scores are based on more than 400 variables from two new data sources: (i) a General Population Survey (GPP) designed by the WJP and conducted by leading local pollsters using a probability sample of 1,000 respondents in the three largest cities in each country; and (ii) a Qualified Respondent Questionnaire (QRQ) completed by national experts in civil and commercial law, criminal law, labour law and public health. To date, more than 97,000 individuals and 2,500 experts in 99 countries and jurisdictions have been interviewed. [8] Respect for the rule of law is assessed on the basis of 47 indicators grouped around eight themes: limitation of governmental powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, law enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.
In addition to country ratings and rankings, the index also includes key global scores, as well as analysis of regional strengths, rule of law challenges, best and worst outcomes, and observed trends. [9] The index assessed 140 countries against four universal principles of the rule of law. These include the principle of accountability, which holds individuals and government accountable for their actions, and the principle of just justice, which is applied equally to guarantee the human and procedural rights of all individuals. The World Justice Project defines the rule of law as a permanent system of laws, institutions, norms, and community engagement that ensures accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible justice. To learn more about these four universal principles and our work, visit: www.worldjusticeproject.org. Many U.S. and Western leaders believe that helping other countries reduce corruption, reduce violence, and achieve the rule of law is critical to promoting security, democracy, and economic development around the world.