October 30, 2007

Democracy without the rule of law – see also “Mexico” – but here, from the U.S. Government’s Website

Posted by D.A. King at 4:34 pm - Email the author   Print This Post Print This Post  

From the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs

THE RULE OF LAW
Equality and the Law

The right to equality before the law, or equal protection of the law as it is often phrased, is fundamental to any just and democratic society. Whether rich or poor, ethnic majority or religious minority, political ally of the state or opponent–all are entitled to equal protection before the law.

The democratic state cannot guarantee that life will treat everyone equally, and it has no responsibility to do so. However, writes constitutional law expert John P. Frank, “Under no circumstances should the state impose additional inequalities; it should be required to deal evenly and equally with all of its people.”

No one is above the law, which is, after all, the creation of the people, not something imposed upon them. The citizens of a democracy submit to the law because they recognize that, however indirectly, they are submitting to themselves as makers of the law. When laws are established by the people who then have to obey them, both law and democracy are served…

More, for the rule of law challengedHERE.

See also Mexico here.