Law Day

The Rule of Law: Foundations for Communities of Opportunity and Equity

We must explain to the rest of the world the meaning, the essentiality, and the purpose of the rule of law as it’s understood by the American people and by other democracies throughout the world. And we must begin to do a better job of it; and we must begin to do it now.

-Justice Anthony Kennedy

Many people do not make the connection between the rule of law and their daily lives—their safety, jobs, health, education, and infrastructure. Advancing the rule of law helps achieve an array of public benefits. We all have a stake in the rule of law, and we all can do our part to strengthen it.

The rule of law refers to a system of self-government with a strong and accessible legal process. It features a system based on fair, publicized, broadly understood and stable laws, and diverse, competent, and independent lawyers and judges. This foundation is essential to foster sustainable communities of opportunity and equity.

Without the rule of law, individuals are consigned to live in societies characterized by violence, poverty, illness, and ignorance.

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