The Constitution
rule of law
The principle that everyone, including officials, is bound by law that is public, prospective, and applied through fair procedures.
In full
The rule of law demands more than the existence of rules: it requires that they be knowable in advance, applied consistently, and enforced by institutions independent enough to rule against the powerful. Its practical guarantees include due process, judicial review, and the publication of laws and regulations before they take effect.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.