What concept asserts that everyone must follow the same laws without exception?

The rule of law is a fundamental principle that emphasizes that all individuals, institutions, and entities are accountable to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced. This concept asserts that the law applies equally to everyone, without exceptions based on status, power, or privilege. By establishing that everyone must follow the same laws, the rule of law ensures fairness, transparency, and justice in a society. It promotes the idea that laws should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by arbitrary decisions of individual government officials.

In contrast, while liberty refers to the freedom individuals have to act as they choose, it does not necessarily imply that everyone follows the same laws. Equality pertains to the idea that all individuals deserve equal treatment and rights but may not explicitly enforce the application of the same laws. Constitutionality relates to actions and laws that are in accordance with a constitution but does not inherently mean that all individuals are subject to the same laws. Thus, the rule of law distinctly encapsulates the notion that laws must be uniformly applied to ensure justice and order within a society.