Glossary
Rule of law
The principle that everyone, including government, is subject to publicly known laws that are applied equally and fairly.
Also called: rule of law principle, government of laws
The rule of law is the principle that society is governed by established, publicly known laws that apply equally to all, including those in power, rather than by the arbitrary will of individuals. It is often summarized in the phrase "a government of laws, not of men," which is traced to John Adams and the Massachusetts Constitution.
Commonly cited elements include laws that are public, clear and stable; equal application regardless of status; independent courts; protection against retroactive and secret laws; and fair procedures, as in procedural due process and the ban on vague laws. Scholars such as A.V. Dicey and Friedrich Hayek gave it a classic statement.
The concept is invoked across the political spectrum. Conservatives often cite it when criticizing executive overreach, selective enforcement, the expansion of regulation and what they regard as politicized prosecutions; progressives cite it when objecting to official abuses or defying court orders. People also disagree about whether the rule of law is purely formal, requiring only that laws be general and predictable, or substantive, requiring that laws respect certain rights. It is closely associated with limited government and judicial review.
Last reviewed November 8, 2026