Uncovering Patterns Among Latent Variables: Human Rights and De Facto Judicial Independence
Research & Politics (Forthcoming)
48 Pages Posted: 20 May 2015 Last revised: 13 Aug 2015
Date Written: August 12, 2015
Abstract
In this paper, we reexamine the relationship between judicial independence and state respect for human rights by taking advantage of new latent measures of both constructs. In our analysis, we demonstrate a simple method for incorporating the uncertainty of these latent variables. Results provide strong support for theoretical and empirical claims that independent courts are associated with human rights. Though we show that independent courts influence state behavior, the strength of the estimated relationship depends upon whether and to what degree empirical models account for uncertainty in the measurement of the latent variables.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation