RAND Europe’s first paper for the Justice for All Series explores how the principles established at Runnymede over 800 years ago continue to shape modern governance, law, and economic growth.
Drawing connections between Magna Carta and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), the research shows how access to justice and fair governance remain central to social stability and economic prosperity.
From thirteenth-century reforms limiting royal power to today’s calls for investment in justice systems worldwide, the paper makes a compelling case that justice is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one.
The study highlights:
- How legal predictability and property rights helped establish the foundations of market confidence
- The link between access to justice and measurable economic growth
- Why investment in justice today can yield returns similar to those of major infrastructure programmes
RAND Europe’s research invites policymakers, business leaders, and civic institutions to consider how the rule of law—then and now—can drive sustainable development.
Learn more about RAND Europe at www.randeurope.org.
