who created the idea of rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law is `` The authority and influence of law in society , especially when viewed as a constraint on individual and institutional behavior ; ( hence ) the principle whereby all members of a society ( including those in government ) are considered equally subject to publicly disclosed legal codes and processes '' . The phrase `` the rule of law '' refers to a political situation , not to any specific legal rule . Use of the phrase can be traced back to 16th - century Britain , and in the following century the Scottish theologian Samuel Rutherford employed it in arguing against the divine right of kings . John Locke wrote that freedom in society means being subject only to laws made by a legislature that apply to everyone , with a person being otherwise free from both governmental and private restrictions upon liberty . `` The rule of law '' was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A.V. Dicey . However , the principle , if not the phrase itself , was recognized by ancient thinkers ; for example , Aristotle wrote : `` It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens '' . 
The rule of law is `` The authority and influence of law in society , especially when viewed as a constraint on individual and institutional behavior ; ( hence ) the principle whereby all members of a society ( including those in government ) are considered equally subject to publicly disclosed legal codes and processes '' . The phrase `` the rule of law '' refers to a political situation , not to any specific legal rule . Use of the phrase can be traced back to 16th - century Britain , and in the following century the Scottish theologian Samuel Rutherford employed it in arguing against the divine right of kings . John Locke wrote that freedom in society means being subject only to laws made by a legislature that apply to everyone , with a person being otherwise free from both governmental and private restrictions upon liberty . `` The rule of law '' was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A.V. Dicey . However , the principle , if not the phrase itself , was recognized by ancient thinkers ; for example , Aristotle wrote : `` It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens '' .
Use of the phrase can be traced back to 16th - century Britain, and in the following century the Scottish theologian Samuel Rutherford employed it in arguing against the divine right of kings. `` The rule of law '' was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A.V. Dicey.
Use of the phrase can be traced back to 16th - century Britain , and in the following century the Scottish theologian Samuel Rutherford employed it in arguing against the divine right of kings . `` The rule of law '' was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A.V. Dicey .
Use of the phrase can be traced back to 16th - century Britain , and in the following century the Scottish theologian Samuel Rutherford employed it in arguing against the divine right of kings. "The rule of law" was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A.V. Dicey. The principle , if not the phrase itself , was recognized by ancient thinkers, including Aristotle.
Use of the phrase can be traced back to 16th - century Britain , and in the following century the Scottish theologian Samuel Rutherford employed it in arguing against the divine right of kings . `` The rule of law '' was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A.V. Dicey . However , the principle , if not the phrase itself , was recognized by ancient thinkers ; for example , Aristotle wrote : `` It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens '' .