The Global Conversation

Since we released the WJP Rule of Law Index 2014 two weeks ago, on March 5th, our findings have been featured in over 20 languages—in more than 200 media outlets—worldwide. Following are a few notable mentions, but you can always check our media page for the most up-to-date information on where WJP is contributing to the rule of law conversation around the globe.

 

 

The Top 10 Countries Where Justice Prevails

“Our goal is to advance the rule of law in very broad terms. But there are uses for the index, mainly for policy analysis and to place some of the issues in perspective. It doesn’t go into the why and how of things, but it lets you start the conversation either on the policy level or the analytical level.” - Dr. Alejandro Ponce, WJP Chief Research Officer

 

 

 

Want Justice? Try Scandinavia

The U.S. may still present itself as the “land of dreams,” but for the “land of justice," try Scandinavia instead.

 

 

Venezuela: Why Are Brushes With Crime So Pervasive?

Rule of law in Venezuela is weaker than anywhere else world in the world, as measured in the World Justice Report’s annual index.

 

 

People Surveyed Say They Feel Safer, Though Trust in Rule of Law Wanes

"Seemingly contradictory trends indicate that the effectiveness of the criminal justice system is not the sole determinant of levels of violence in a society and views on personal safety." - Dr. Juan Carlos Botero, WJP Executive Director

 

Country Ranks Poorly on Safety

"The index is unique not only because it measures eight variables in 99 countries worldwide through surveys to 1000 people in the major cities of each country, as well as interviews with 2,400 experts worldwide. In Argentina, the survey was conducted in Buenos Aires, Rosario and Córdoba."

 

 

NGO Indicates a Year of Deteriorating Rights in Venezuela

Corruption is common, and the justice system, although relatively effective, lost positions because of increasing political interference. Crime and violence are also areas of concern, as well as violations of fundamental rights, in particular freedom of opinion and expression and the right to privacy.

 

 

Turkey 59th Among 99 Countries

 

At 59th, Turkey places in the middle of Eastern European and Central Asian nations in most dimensions. The country performs relatively well in regulatory enforcement (ranking 38th) and absence of corruption (ranking 35th and second in the region), and its civil justice system ranks 47th. Turkey receives lower marks in the dimensions of government accountability (ranking 72nd overall and 21st among upper-middle income countries) and fundamental rights (ranking 78th globally), mainly because of political interference within the legislature and the judiciary, and restrictions on freedom of expression and privacy.

 

United States Justice System Falls Behind That Of Other High-Income Nations

While the U.S. scored relatively high in the “order and security” category, it scored the lowest in the access to “civil justice” and “criminal justice” categories. The U.S.’s score in the “regulatory enforcement” category was also low.

 

Hong Kong's Rule of Law Ranks 16th in the World

Hong Kong has been ranked 16th in the world for its rule of law - three places ahead of the United States, well ahead of the mainland, but behind tightly controlled rival Singapore.

 

Burma Fares Poorly in Global Rule of Law Gauge

Speaking to The Irrawaddy following the report’s release, [Dr.] Juan Carlos Botero, executive director of the US-based World Justice Project, said open governance initiatives would likely constitute the easiest short-term means of improving rule of law in Burma, citing neighboring India as a potential example to follow.