Rule of Law
The rule of law means that everyone, including leaders, must obey the law and be treated equally by it.
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The rule of law means that everyone, including leaders, must obey the law and be treated equally by it.
- No one is above the law
- Laws must be clear and public
- Fair trials protect individuals
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Rule of Law?
Within Economics & Civics, which covers money, markets, business, government, law and citizenship: how societies are organised and run, this topic explains Rule of Law. Economics and civics topics explain how money, markets, laws and government affect people, so each topic here pairs a clear definition with a model.
Check that you can explain Rule of Law in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Rule of Law helps you read the news critically and weigh up policies, choices and arguments about society.
Rule of Law in detail
The rule of law means that everyone, including those in government, is subject to the law, and that laws are clear, public, applied fairly and equally and made by proper processes. No one is above the law, and no one can be punished without trial and a legal reason.
It requires independent courts, access to justice, and protection from arbitrary arrest. The rule of law protects individual rights, gives certainty for people and businesses and limits abuse of power. It is regarded as a foundation of democracy and distinguishes it from rule by the whims of a leader.
How the interactive helps you understand Rule of Law
Click a card to flip it and reveal the answer, then move on to the next one.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Rule of Law.
Real-life uses and examples
- Use Rule of Law to weigh up the pros and costs of a policy or decision.
- Explain Rule of Law to a classmate using a choice you make yourself, such as spending pocket money.
- Give a balanced answer about Rule of Law by considering more than one point of view.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing a short-term effect with a long-term one.
- Giving an opinion without evidence or a clear economic or civic reason.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Rule of Law
What is Rule of Law?
The rule of law means that everyone, including leaders, must obey the law and be treated equally by it.
What are the most important points about Rule of Law?
The main points are: No one is above the law; Laws must be clear and public; Fair trials protect individuals.
Why is Rule of Law useful?
Understanding Rule of Law helps you read the news critically and weigh up policies, choices and arguments about society.
How can I practise Rule of Law?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Rule of Law?
Related topics in Economics & Civics include Criminal and Civil Law, Local Government, The Media and Democracy.