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".[2] The phrase "the rule of law" refers to a political situation, not to any specific legal rule. So under the rule of law nobody is above the law and even the president or the richest American citizen must abide the law.
The rule of law is a legal situation, or an institutional system, in which each and everyone (from the simple individual to the public authority) are subject to the rule of law. The rule of law is thus linked to respect for fundamental rights and norms. In other words, the rule of law is one in which even political leaders (in democracy: the elect) are subject to existing legislation.
The concept of the rule of law is related to the power of the state. It is when this power, in relation to the decisions that can be taken by the rulers, is limited by the set of laws, by the right.
In the rule of law all fundamental human rights must be protected by the state: both political, social and economic rights.
