This is the final edition of Global Insight for 2024, the year of elections. In various editions of the magazine, as well as our online coverage, audio podcasts and occasional filmed interview, we’ve tracked developments in many of the 80 or so countries that have held elections throughout this momentous year for democracy and rule of law. In Russia and across Eastern Europe – notably Georgia and Moldova – the overriding theme has been the extent to which Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to manipulate and undermine the democratic process, implementing repressive laws as well as more sinister tactics – such as imprisoning political opponents, or worse – showing little or no respect for human rights.

The widespread anti-democratic assault underway in so many parts of the world, including significant and influential states in Asia – like India and Pakistan, for example – makes clear the severity of the current threat to rule of law globally. In our April/May edition, we suggested that the US presidential election in November might have had either the potential to somewhat salvage the rule of law or to further jeopardise it, not only in the US but around the world. As this edition of Global Insight is also the first of 2025, it seems entirely appropriate, therefore, that we foreshadow what looks certain to be a major theme of the year ahead by highlighting some of the implications of a second Trump presidency.

In the first article in this edition, our US Correspondent flags how important norms are already being bypassed. William Howell, Director of the Center for Effective Government at the University of Chicago, who’s quoted in the piece, puts it plainly: ‘The rule of law is going to be under assault’. A column later in this edition assesses to what extent, given the US Supreme Court has handed Trump wide-ranging immunity from prosecution, and Special Counsel Jack Smith has been forced to dismiss charges too. This leaves a glaring accountability gap. However, Smith is expected to submit a report on the prosecutions to Attorney General Merrick Garland who, in turn, has the power to make it public. If he does, it should make for interesting reading.

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