On the Rule of Law: History, Politics, Theory
Abstract
The rule of law is the most important political ideal today, yet there is much confusion about what it means and how it works. This 2004 book explores the history, politics, and theory surrounding the rule of law ideal, beginning with classical Greek and Roman ideas, elaborating on medieval contributions to the rule of law, and articulating the role played by the rule of law in liberal theory and liberal political systems. The author outlines the concerns of Western conservatives about the decline of the rule of law and suggests reasons why the radical Left have promoted this decline. Two basic theoretical streams of the rule of law are then presented, with an examination of the strengths and weaknesses of each. The book examines the rule of law on a global level, and concludes by answering the question of whether the rule of law is a universal human good.
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Politics play an important role in cultural change, and many historical cases of intergroup hostility have been rooted in prejudiced political leaders and governments.
“Politics play an important role in cultural change, and many historical cases of intergroup hostility have been rooted in prejudiced political leaders and governments [61].”
From Ecological and cultural factors underlying the global distribution of prejudice (2019) · cites this paper as [61]
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Viewing Things Differently: The Dimensions of Public Perceptions of Police Legitimacy
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Ecological and cultural factors underlying the global distribution of prejudice
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- Authors
- Tamanaha, B. Z.
- Venue
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Published
- 2004-11-18
- OpenAlex
- W4211037492
- Cited by
- 837
- References
- 79
- Citations by year
- 2026: 48 · 2025: 97 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 67 · 2019: 92 · 2018: 61 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 19.62
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Law › Evolving Legal Systems and Governance
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Theory and Influence
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Philosophy and Ethics
- Keywords
- rule of law, history of the rule of law, medieval legal thought, liberal theory, conservatism, radical left, global rule of law, political ideals
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