judiciary; authoritarianism

Authoritarian regimes have adopted a number of nominally democratic institutions, including constitutions envisioning the separation of powers. While in democracies, judiciaries should be independent on both executive and legislative and act as institutions that interpret and apply the law, ensure justice, and uphold the rule of law, in authoritarian regimes, their role is more ambiguous – often tools of the regime, but not always.

Authoritarian regimes have adopted a number of nominally democratic institutions, including constitutions envisioning the separation of powers. While in democracies, judiciaries should be independent on both executive and legislative and act as institutions that interpret and apply the law, ensure justice, and uphold the rule of law, in authoritarian regimes, their role is more ambiguous – often tools of the regime, but not always.