Research ›› Democracy Research Guide


Rule of Law

There is tremendous variety in the NGOs, IGOs and other bodies with a presence on the Internet and the number of such Web sites grows daily. The organizations currently presented in this section were chosen for their mission of fostering positive, democratic change around the world.


Given the dynamic nature of the Web, this section is not an exhaustive list of relevant organizations and responsibility for site content and maintenance rests with the owners. Please note that the inclusion of an organization does not imply endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy. If you would like to suggest a site to be added to this list please send a message to Kristina@ned.org.


American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center)
http://www.solidaritycenter.org
The Solidarity Center is a non-profit AFL-CIO allied organization that assists workers around the world who are struggling to build democratic and independent trade unions. We work with unions and community groups worldwide to achieve equitable, sustainable, democratic development and to help men and women everywhere stand up for their rights and improve their living and working standards.
Subject: Civic Education; Civil Society Strengthening; Conflict Resolution; Elections; Labor Unions and Workers Rights; Legislative Development and Assistance; Media and Freedom of Expression; Rule of Law; Transparency and Anti-Corruption; Women's Issues
Region: Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean; Asia; Europe; Eurasia; Middle East and North Africa
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. full-text, downloadable publications of Solidarity Center and partner reports, brochures, and other tools
2. current news and links to ICFTU updates
3. information on current projects
4. links to labor and worker rights organizations and to foreign-language web sites developed by Solidarity Center partners


American Society of International Law (ASIL) Guide to Electronic Resources for International Law
http://www.asil.org/resource/Home.htm
The guide is a project of the American Society of International Law (ASIL).
Subject: Human Rights; Rule of Law
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. The searchable guide includes a comprehensive list of primary and secondary resources on the United Nations; human rights; treaties; international environmental law; international criminal law; and international economic law. The guide is also available in book form and can be ordered from their web site.



Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs
http://www.cceia.org
The Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education in the field of ethics and international affairs.
Subject: Conflict Resolution; Human Rights; Civil Society Strengthening; Rule of Law
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. Abstracts and selected full text documents from back issues of their
Ethics and International Affairs journal.
2. Online version of their Human Rights Dialogue publication.
3. Publications, transcripts, texts, and materials online in full text.


Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP)
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/
The Endowment conducts programs of research, discussion, publication, and education in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy.
Subject: Conflict Resolution; Civil Society Strengthening; Rule of Law
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. Foreign Policy magazine, which contains a searchable
archive of past articles, though not available full text
2. Democracy and Rule of Law Project offers selected full-text articles, working papers and other publications
3. Guide to Experts containing contact information of Carnegie Endowment Associates
4. news, events, and other publications related to the Endowment's specific programs
5. Link to their russian and english language Moscow Office web site, http://www.carnegie.ru/.


The Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector (IRIS) at the University of Maryland
http://www.iris.umd.edu/
The Center helps government, business and civil society create and implement reforms that increase market oriented economic growth and strengthen democratic procedures.
Subject: Economic Reform and the Business Sector; Civil Society Strengthening; Conflict Resolution; Rule of Law
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. Discussion Papers and Country Papers are available online in full text.
2. Advisory Assistance program materials and reports are available online in full text.
3. Links to other web resources.


Central and East European Law Initiative (CEELI)
http://www.abanet.org/ceeli/
CEELI is a public service project of the American Bar Association that supports the advance of the rule of law via legal reforms in Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
Subject: Rule of Law
Region: Central and Eastern Europe; Eurasia
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. coordinates two e-mail discussion lists, one related to clinical legal education programs and the other to legal reform in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.


Centre of Islamic and Middle East Law (CIMEL)
http://www.soas.ac.uk/Centres/IslamicLaw/
CIMEL promotes the study and understanding of Islamic law and modern Middle East and North Africa legal systems, through research, lectures, publications and other activities.
Subject: Rule of Law
Region: Middle East and North Africa
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. links to texts located on the web---Ancient (pre-Islamic) Middle East and North Africa texts and primary source texts, commentary and legal rulings, academic articles, constitutional law and international law texts, and texts from commercial, personal, and government sites
2. variety of additional compilations of links to academic courses in Islamic and or Middle East Law, law firms, periodicals, and other web sites
3. database allows one to view all texts by country
4. suggested reading lists for courses in Islamic Law


Electronic Information System for International Law
http://www.eisil.org/
EISIL is a project spearheaded by the American Society of International Law (ASIL). Though still under development, ASIL's goal is assist web searchers in finding quality primary materials, authoritative web sites and research guides to international law on the Internet. EISIL was designed as an open database of authenticated primary and other materials across the breadth of international law, which until now have been scattered in libraries, archives and specialized web sites.
Subject: Rule of Law; Human Rights
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. Links to Primary Documents
2. Searchable database of the site's contents


International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES)
http://www.ifes.org
IFES is a nonprofit organization that provides nonpartisan technical assistance worldwide to promote democracy and serves as a clearinghouse for information about democratic development and elections.
Subject: Elections; Civil Society Strengthening; Rule of Law
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. ElectionGuide.org: A comprehensive worldwide election calendar and guide for election results.
2. Survey Reports: The results of surveys and focus groups conducted by IFES in some 20 countries around the world.
3. IFES Publications: A wide range of IFES-authored publications, including electoral assessments, program news, white papers and handbooks.
4. Elections Today: Full text of past articles. Elections Today covers the electoral process and election news from around the world.
5. Democracy at large: Full index of articles with full text of selected issues. Democracy at large covers democracy development worldwide.
6. Links: Collection of links to electoral commissions as well as other organizations working in the democracy development field.
7. Money & Politics website: Information about global initiatives to promote good governance and the rule of law through transparency, accountability and regulatory enforcement of political finance laws.
8. Arab Election Law Compendium website: Collection of election laws in Arabic, English or French from countries throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.
9. Buyer's Guide to Election Suppliers: An index of suppliers of election goods and services.
10. ElectionAccess.org: An analysis of election laws that impact citizens with disabilities that also highlights best practices in providing citizens with disabilities greater access to the electoral process.
11. Press Releases: Full archive of IFES' activities.


International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)
http://www.icnl.org
ICNL is an international organization that facilitates the development of civil society by assisting in the creation and improvement regulatory structures that foster the not-for-profit sector in countries around the world.
Subject: Rule of Law
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. on-line library includes regional and country reports that analyze specific legal systems and evaluate the legal framework for development. It also provides more general legal documents on issues such as the role of the law in civil society and laws regarding NGOs
2. list of publications on laws regulating civil society and guidelines for citizen participation


Law and Environment Eurasia Partnership (LEEP)
http://www.ecostan.org
LEEP is partnership of NGOs in Central Asia, working to support legislation pertaining to the environment and civil society building in the region.
Subject: Rule of Law; Civic Education
Region: Central and Eastern Europe; Eurasia
Languages: English; Russian

Research Tools:
1. full-text archive of Ecostan News, LEEP's monthly journal, which reports on issues of civil society and the environment
2. full-text versions of articles concerning development, environmental preservation, health, and human rights
3. abstracted contents of journals produced by other regional NGOs
4. full-text versions of laws relevant to the formation of NGOs, and the full-text of constitutions of countries in the region.


Public Interest Law Initiative in Transitional Societies
http://www.pili.org
The Public Interest Law Initiative in Transitional Societies strives to help the development and networking of public interest law communities in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia.
Subject: Rule of Law
Region: Central and Eastern Europe; Eurasia
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. full-text publication for the legal defense of the Roma in the CEE
2. full-text versions of papers and articles concerning both the education and practice of the legal defense of the under-represented
3. bibliographical database of additional sources


World Bank Anti-Corruption and Governance
http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/gac
The Anti-Corruption and Governance Programs are designed to coordinate a client-based public sector in developing states with an emphasis on transparency and the dangers of corruption.
Subject: Rule of Law
Region: Global
Languages: English; Spanish; French; Russian

Research Tools:
1. full-text versions of speeches and country-specific reports from the 1999
International Conference Against Corruption
2. data set containing information assessing the growth of the private sector in 67 countries
3. abstracts and ordering information for books and articles dealing with issues of corruption, transparency, governance and economic development
4. links to organizations that promote human rights, transparency and democratic good governance
5. Governance Web Data Interactivity



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