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::::::Hrm time to get out some text books. I always thought the rule of law was more literal -- the fact that the law "rules", or it is enforcible and applies to everyone. In this case it would have no moral pretext (in a way, anyway). I'll look it up and see what the political scientists say about it. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 17:44, 27 January 2008 (EST)
::::::Hrm time to get out some text books. I always thought the rule of law was more literal -- the fact that the law "rules", or it is enforcible and applies to everyone. In this case it would have no moral pretext (in a way, anyway). I'll look it up and see what the political scientists say about it. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 17:44, 27 January 2008 (EST)
::::::Ok, I'm pretty sure a good definition would be in my American Politics book, but unfortunately that is the only PoliSci text I left at home. I found a definition in a "dictionary of theories" (which I forgot I had incidentally): "People are governed by law rather than capricously or arbitrarily, when all people including government and its officials are equally subject to law and when peple are bunishable only for an established breach of law." [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 18:00, 27 January 2008 (EST)
::::::Ok, I'm pretty sure a good definition would be in my American Politics book, but unfortunately that is the only PoliSci text I left at home. I found a definition in a "dictionary of theories" (which I forgot I had incidentally): "People are governed by law rather than capricously or arbitrarily, when all people including government and its officials are equally subject to law and when peple are bunishable only for an established breach of law." [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 18:00, 27 January 2008 (EST)
==You're Confusing the "Rule of Law" With "Rule Through Law"==
The rule of law is the concept that nobody is above the law (i.e. the law should be enforced against everyone) and that the law is to be applied equally to all (i.e. if two people commit the same crime under the same circumstances they should receive the same punishment, regardless of who they know).
The rule of law has very little to do with an extensive moral code or the responsibility of the individual to society, in fact it is very much the opposite (it is a very limited concept and it emphasises the responsibility of society towards the individual).
The Ten Commandments are an example of ruling through law, that is using a codified set of rules to govern behaviour in order to maintain society. While this is notable it is different to the rule of law which is discussed in this passage. Unless there is a Commandment which specifically states that the law shall not be applied arbitrarily then I don't see how we say they began the concept of the rule of law. [[User:TheGuy|TheGuy]] 18:07, 27 January 2008 (EST)