Measuring the Rule of Law: A Comparison of Indicators

• DOI: 10.1111/lsi.12175
• Publication Date: 2016-02-03T11:01:28Z
• Authors: Mila Versteeg; Tom Ginsburg
• Keywords: Rule of Law

The rule of law era has given rise to multiple indicators purporting measure the concept. This article compares four major and shows that their approaches conceptualization measurement differ. Given disparate conceptualizations strategies, one might expect a weak correlation between them. Strikingly, however, all are highly correlated with each other (with pair-wise correlations three them exceeding 0.95). They also widely used corruption. suggests capture more encompassing concept, like impartial administration. critiques enterprise as insufficiently linked underlying normative It points reliance on expert perceptions information constraints possible cause for convergence. concludes strategy, rather than differences in conceptualization, explains convergence indicators.