Rule of law

How it is used

A central idea in political science, law and international reports. People uphold, respect, strengthen or undermine the rule of law. It is often mentioned together with democracy, human rights and an independent judiciary.

Example sentences

1. The rule of law means that no official is above the law.

2. The lecture explained why investors care about the rule of law.

Common collocations

• uphold the rule of law
• respect for the rule of law
• strengthen the rule of law
• undermine the rule of law

Related terms

• judiciaryThe branch of the state made up of judges and courts, which interprets the law, settles disputes and decides whether laws and government actions are legal.
• constitutionThe basic set of laws and principles that sets out how a state is organized, what powers its institutions have and what rights its citizens enjoy.
• human rightsThe basic rights and freedoms that every person has simply because they are human, such as the right to life, liberty, a fair trial and freedom of thought.
• separation of powersThe principle that the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the state should be held by separate bodies, so that no single body becomes too powerful.
• democracyA system of government in which power belongs to the people, who choose their leaders in free elections and can replace them; also a country governed in this way.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• rule of law · Law

More terms: Constitution, Courts and Rights

• citizen
• freedom of expression
• checks and balances
• constitutional court