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Publication Date: December 2007
Publisher: Center for American Progress
Author(s): Scott Lilly
Research Area: Justice; Law and ethics
Type: Report
Abstract:
The State Department Web site explains American democracy to the rest of the world as follows:
"The rule of law is a fundamental component of democratic society in the United States, the rule of law is based primarily on the U.S. Constitution and on the assurance that U.S. laws—in conjunction with the Constitution—are fair and are applied equally to all members of society."
How closely the United States actually adheres to those principles, however, has been increasingly drawn into question—particularly over the course of the past year. Revelations about the firing of U.S. attorneys because they were not sensitive enough to the Bush administration’s political priorities almost turns the State Department claims on their head.