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McIlroy, David H. (2016) 'How is the rule of law a limit on power?' Studies in Christian Ethics, 29 (1). pp. 34-50.

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Abstract

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.

Item Type: Journal Article
Keywords: Augustine, Fuller, law in the Character of God, natural law, rule of law
SOAS Departments & Centres: Legacy Departments > Faculty of Law and Social Sciences > School of Law
ISSN: 09539468
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.1177/0953946815611112
Date Deposited: 31 May 2016 10:46
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/22491

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