The law is a set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. A law can be based on a document such as a constitution or on precedent established by judges in common law jurisdictions. It may also be based on a code written by a legislative authority, resulting in statutes, or on custom and practice, resulting in case law. The field of study concerned with laws is called jurisprudence.
The rule of law enables people to pursue their own lives and dreams by providing them with an orderly and stable environment in which everyone is treated equally. This is achieved by guaranteeing that the government and private actors are accountable, just, and transparent. It is also a guarantee that core human rights and freedoms, including the right to life, liberty and property, are respected and protected by the state and its citizens.
The rule of law requires a strong, independent judiciary. It means that the judicial system respects and protects individual rights, and ensures that the state acts fairly and impartially. It also ensures that people are not subject to discrimination or victimization on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or arbitrary characteristics such as mental illness.