'What's wonderful about this book is that it's not a law book; it's for everybody. It explains, clearly, simply, powerfully, to a lay audience what the rule of law means and how important it is to everybody in modern society. Everyone should read this book' SHAMI CHAKRABARTI 'The Rule of Law' is a phrase much used but little examined. In this brilliant short book, Britain's former senior Law Lord, and one of the world's most acute legal minds, examines what the idea actually means. He makes clear that it is not an arid legal doctrine but the foundation of a fair and just society, a guarantee of responsible government, and an important contributor to economic growth. Tom Bingham examines the historical origins of the rule of law, advances eight conditions which capture its essence as understood in western democracies today - and explains why the rule of law offers the best means yet devised for securing peace and co-operation. 'Beautifully written . . . the book of the year that I am likely to read again and again' CHRIS PATTEN 'So compelling that its contents spill on to the page like a musical score' CONOR GEARTY, OBSERVER 'This closely argued and very readable work serves as a lucid restatement of the importance of the rule of law' GIDEON RACHMAN, FINANCIAL TIMES, BOOKS OF THE YEAR