The Rule of Law Definitions, Measures, Patterns and Causes

This detailed study provides a thorough overview and critical discussion of conceptions and measures of the rule of law. It demonstrates that the choice of definitions and measures affects descriptive and explanatory findings in respect to the rule of law. Moreover, it argues that a constitutionalist legacy dating back to the Mediaeval times explains why European and European settler colonies have historically and habitually display a higher adherence to and reliance on nomocracy than other countries and why this trend has continued to this day. By integrating conceptual definitions, measures, patterns, and causes, this book presents a comprehensive and coherent framework for studying the rule of law, which students and scholars can use as a general entry point to the literature to the subject and why we see such significant variation in nomocracy adherence between different countries today.

Jørgen Møller has a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy and is currently a Professor at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus University, Denmark. His research interests include conceptualization of democracy, post-communist political change, patterns of democratization and democratic stability, patterns of state formation, and comparative methodology.

Svend-Erik Skaaning has a PhD from Aarhus University and is currently a Professor at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus University, Denmark. His research interests include conceptualization, measurement, and explanation of democracy and human rights and comparative methodology. Skaaning is currently involved in two major research projects- DEDERE and V-Dem.

1. Introduction
PART I: ON DEFINITIONS
2. Systematizing Thin and Thick Rule of Law Definitions
3. Diminished Subtypes of the Rule of Law
PART II: ON MEASURES
4. Evaluating Extant Rule of Law Measures
5. Exploring the Interchangability of Rule of Law Measures
PART III: ON PATTERNS
6. Examining the Empirical Fit of the Typological Hierarchy
7. Reassessing the Relevance of Diminished Subtypes of the Rule of Law
8. Charting Rule of Law Adherence Across Time and Space
PART IV: ON CAUSES
9. Uncovering the Historical Origins of the Rule of Law
10. Explaining Cross-National Differences in Adherence to the Rule of Law
11. Conclusions