Rule of Law Rankings Put U.S. at 19

The World Justice Institute recently issued its Rule of Law Index for 2015. We posted on last year's Index here.

The Index ranks 102 countries on various measures related to rule of law, around these four "universal principles":

1.    The government and its officials and agents as well as individuals and private entities are accountable under the law.

2.    The laws are clear, publicized, stable, and just; are applied evenly; and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property.

3.    The process by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is accessible, fair, and efficient.

4.    Justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

The U.S. ranked 19 overall (out of 102), 19 out of 31 in our income class, and 13 out of 24 in the Americas. Low points include "no discrimination" in the criminal justice system and accessibility and affordability in the civil justice system. High points include lack of corruption and effective checks on the judiciary.