Final answer:
The Rule of Law is the democratic ideal where no individual or institution is above the law. It requires accountability, just laws, and open government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Rule of Law is the democratic ideal where no individual or institution is above the law. The role of the courts is to apply the rule of law in a fair and impartial manner by interpreting the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
According to the World Justice Project, the four underlying principles guiding the rule of law are:
- Accountability: Government and private actors are accountable under the law, and no one is above the law.
- Just laws: The laws are clear, publicized, stable, and applied evenly. They protect fundamental rights, including protecting persons and property and certain core human rights.
- Open government: The processes by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced are accessible, fair, and efficient.