The rule of law abroad: learning from experience and listening to locals

Thomas Kirk explores the role of the rule of law abroad in this sweeping review essay. Dealing with the works of Carothers, Armytage, Isser and Kleinfeld, Kirk examines the critiques offered to the traditional rule of law approaches. He concludes that practitioners increasingly have fewer excuses to limit reform programmes to a traditional, narrow focus on formal institutions, the judiciary and lawyers.