RULE OF LAW —
Exactly what is the rule of law, and how does it differ from the Constitution? The rule of laws is a simple principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are held accountable to laws that are, publicly promulgated, and equally enforced, independently adjudicated, and consistent with international human rights principles.
The rule of law, therefore, makes sure governments and people act in accordance with the laws. Governments that operate under the rule of law are different than, for example, the absolute monarchies that ruled over medieval Europe, where the king or queen was not always subject to the laws of the land.
What is the Rule of Law? At its most basic level the rule of law is the concept that both the government and citizens know the law and obey it. A good definition of the rule of law that has near universal acceptance states “…most of the content of the rule of law can be summed up in two points:
(1) that the people (including, one should add, the government) should be ruled by the law and obey it and (2) that the law should be such that people will be able (and, one should add, willing) to be guided by it.”
– Geoffrey de Q. Walker, The rule of law: foundation of constitutional democracy, (1st Ed., 1988).
