ruleoflaw

Rule of law is a principle that all persons and authorities are subject to the law, which must be publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated. It holds that government power is exercised according to clear, stable rules rather than personal whim, and that individuals have protection against arbitrary state action. The concept also encompasses predictable, accessible processes for resolving disputes and challenging governmental decisions.

Core elements typically include the supremacy of legally enacted rules over discretionary power; equality before the law; accountability of public officials; separation of powers; due process and fair treatment; access to justice; an independent and impartial judiciary; transparency and accountability in government; legality and predictability of administrative actions; and limits on discretionary authority.

Historically, the modern rule of law in many jurisdictions is associated with the 18th and 19th centuries and with legal theorists such as A. V. Dicey, who emphasized the supremacy of regular law, equality before the law, and the restriction of arbitrary government. The concept is often contrasted with rule by law, where laws may be used to authorize government actions without constraining rulers themselves.

In practice, the rule of law is pursued through constitutional frameworks, independent judiciaries, formal guarantees of rights, administrative-law mechanisms, and open government procedures. It remains a guiding ideal in many democracies and international institutions, though its realization varies and faces challenges such as corruption, politicization of the judiciary, emergency powers, and debates about universalism versus local context.