How Is the Rule of Law a Limit on Power?

A commitment to the rule of law is a commitment to the governance of a society through the use of general or generalisable rules which are binding on both the subjects and the rulers. By giving due notice of the rules and of any changes to them, those who are subject to the law are protected from vi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studies in Christian ethics
Main Author: McIlroy, David (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage [2016]
In: Studies in Christian ethics
RelBib Classification:CH Christianity and Society
NBC Doctrine of God
VA Philosophy
XA Law
Further subjects:B Augustine
B law in the Character of God
B Natural Law
B Religion
B Fuller
B Rule of law
B Political Science
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:A commitment to the rule of law is a commitment to the governance of a society through the use of general or generalisable rules which are binding on both the subjects and the rulers. By giving due notice of the rules and of any changes to them, those who are subject to the law are protected from violence and enabled to act as agents. This is the essential contribution the rule of law makes to important human goods including freedom. Such an understanding of the rule of law illuminates why the law-like character of God and the revelation of God’s law make human free will meaningful and a relationship of love between God and human beings possible. A commitment to the rule of law also means that those exercising power have to offer justifications to explain why the rules are binding, which opens up space for debate about whether the rules are just.
ISSN:0953-9468
Contains:Enthalten in: Studies in Christian ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0953946815611112