What is Democracy? (9): Rule of Law

There is a link between the rule of law and democracy, similar to but without the same tenacity as the link between human rights and democracy. A democracy is by definition a system that respects the rule of law. The democratic election procedures and the human rights necessary for the functioning of democracy are written [...]

Human Rights Cartoon (50): Separation of Powers

(by Angel Boligan, http://www.bolicarton.com/)
If citizens violate human rights, then the victims can call on the state to act. If the state violates human rights, either in its actions or laws, then the citizens can use one part of the state against another. However, what if both the legislature and the judiciary are disfunctional or outright [...]

Human Rights Cartoon (36): Separation of Powers

(by Cam Cardow, www.comics.com/editoons/cardow)
Separation of powers means limitations on powers. For example, the power of the legislature, and hence of the people in a democracy, is limited in several ways. A law cannot be anything. There are certain limits on the content of a law. Hence, the legislator cannot legislate everything he or she wants. [...]

Human Rights Cartoon (32): Separation of Powers

(by Ares)
Without the separation of powers, an individual citizen is unable to protect his or her rights against a powerful government. He or she must have the possibility of using one part of government against another part, either because the actions of this other part violate his or her rights, or because this part imposes [...]