Why the Rule of Law Matters — And Why We Should Pay Attention

Wednesday, January 28, 2026
written by Rev. Erik Khoobyarian

Before seminary, I practiced law for about 15 years. And before law school, my undergraduate degree was in an interdisciplinary program including both government and legal institutions. Most of my academic and professional life has centered around one of the foundational ideals of our republic: the rule of law. It’s not just a legal phrase; it’s a way of life rooted in the belief that no one — not even the most powerful — is above the law, and that laws must be predictable, fair, and applied equally to every person.

In Scripture, we see this value reflected again and again — in God’s justice for the weak, protection for the stranger, and clear boundaries meant to preserve justice and peace (e.g., Deuteronomy 16:18–20). The rule of law isn’t an accident; it’s a moral commitment.

Today, I want to share some data and reflection not as a partisan critique, but as faithful citizens and followers of Christ called to care about justice (Micah 6:8).

What the Rule of Law Is — and How It’s Measured

The rule of law means more than just having laws on the books. According to the World Justice Project, one of the most respected global measurement efforts, it consists of several universally recognized principles, including:

• Constraints on government powers

• Absence of corruption

• Open and transparent government

• Impartial and accessible justice

• Fundamental rights protected for all 

These factors combine to produce a Rule of Law Index comparing countries around the world.

Global Trends: A “Rule of Law Recession”

According to the 2025 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, the rule of law declined in about 68% of countries surveyed — a majority for the second year running. 

Countries of all kinds are affected:

• Turkey fell sharply over the last decade, now ranked 118th out of 143 countries — driven by erosion in judicial independence, corruption controls, and fundamental rights. 

• Several European nations — including Italy, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary — show systematic weakening in judicial independence, press freedom, and checks and balances. 

• Even long-established democracies such as France and Germany show isolated rule of law declines in certain areas. 

These aren’t isolated statistics; they are patterns observed across continents and political systems.

What About the United States?

The U.S. still ranks relatively high globally — 27th out of 143 countries in the 2025 Rule of Law Index — yet there are measurable declines that merit attention. 

What the data shows:

• The U.S. overall score fell by about 2.8 % in the latest index. 

• Indicators tied to constraints on government powers, open government, and fundamental rights showed erosion — patterns similar to those seen in other democracies experiencing rule of law stress. 

• Some measures show shrinking civic space, such as declines in freedom of expression, assembly, and civic participation — a trend documented by external civil society monitors. 

• Separately, Transparency International reports the U.S. corruption perception score has dropped significantly since 2015 — from 76 to 65 — reflecting greater public concern about ethical standards and accountability. 

These numbers don’t come from a partisan perspective; they come from nonpartisan, internationally recognized data sources.

It’s worth noting that different indicators of the rule of law affect different communities — access to justice, fairness in criminal courts, and trust in institutions all shape how people experience law and justice in their daily lives.

Why This Matters for Us — and What We Can Do

We should care about these trends not because of politics, but because justice and human dignity are biblical imperatives:

• God calls leaders to justice and care for the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3–4, Isaiah 1:17).

• We are to advocate for honest scales and fair measures (Proverbs 16:11).

• Societies that weaken respect for law risk injustice, division, and suffering.

So what might faithful action look like?

Practical steps:

• Educate — understand how laws work and why integrity in institutions matters.

• Engage respectfully — support civic processes and leaders who affirm rule of law principles.

• Pray — for justice, for leaders, and for peace and flourishing in our community and nation (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

A Shared Responsibility — Not A Partisan Scorecard

Let me be clear: encouraging stronger adherence to the rule of law is not an attack on any individual or political figure. The data trends I’ve shared come from nonpartisan global indices (World Justice Project, Transparency International, etc.) and show that commitment to the rule of law is a constant work in every society, including ours.

Our hope and calling isn’t to point fingers, but to help build communities where laws are fair, institutions are trusted, and every person — from the weakest to the most powerful — is accountable under the same law.

I’m personally anxious to see how the numbers continue to trend throughout the world and here in the United States. I plan for this theme of the rule of law to be one to which I return in this space. It is of critical importance to us all and to our nation.

If you’re interested in exploring the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, click here to visit their website. I had the chance to meet with William Hubbard, the chair of the WJP Board of Directors, together with several clergy last year. Mr. Hubbard and the WJP are doing great work in monitoring the strength (and decline) of the rule of law. But their work is worthless if people don’t look at the results and ask themselves the hard questions.