In an era where the rule of law faces unprecedented challenges across the European Union, a groundbreaking interactive database has been developed in our research group, conceived as a resource for researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations. Unveiled on October 18th at the International Congress “Overcoming the Crisis of Democratic Values in the EU,” this tool offers a nuanced approach to quantifying and analyzing key aspects of the rule of law. Developed by Carlos González Tormo, with invaluable contributions from Nuria Hernandez García, Almudena del Castillo Santamaría, and Zitan Peng Hao, this database synthesizes information on judicial independence, corruption, human rights, and media pluralism—four pillars identified by the European Commission as crucial to the rule of law.
What sets this tool apart is its adaptability. Users can tailor their analysis by adjusting sample sizes, focusing on specific time periods, or honing in on particular rule of law themes. This flexibility allows for a more targeted and relevant examination of trends, making it an indispensable asset for academic research and policy formulation alike. The database draws its information from Spain’s leading newspapers, employing a sophisticated archival tool to filter and categorize results. While the current iteration operates with a calculated margin of error of 14.43%, ongoing refinements and peer reviews continue to enhance its accuracy and reliability.
As the EU grapples with challenges to judicial independence, press freedom, and human rights protection, this interactive platform stands as a testament to the power of data-driven approaches in safeguarding democratic values. It not only quantifies the prominence of rule of law issues in public discourse but also provides a foundation for informed debate and targeted interventions. This innovative tool represents a significant step forward in our collective ability to monitor, understand, and ultimately strengthen the rule of law across the European Union.
The database is available in the following link DataBase or you can access via the main menu of this blog.
