Rule-of-Law Typologies in Contemporary Societies

In the last twenty years, the rule of law has undergone a revival in legal, academic, business, military, and development spheres. Yet we lack a clear understanding of the distinct forms the rule of law takes, and how and why they vary across states and over time. This study indicates one way to operationalize rule of law for analytic purposes while respecting the nonlinear combinations of rule of law's multiple dimensions. The results imply rule of law is not all of a piece and is likely to take only a handful of fairly predictable forms. Analyzing profiles of rule of law in the 1990s suggests five main typologies: Full Rule of Law, Incomplete Rule of Law, Peaceful Unrule of Law, Unstable Lawlessness, and Violent Unrule of Law. Finally, this essay encourages debates about the conceptualization, measurement, and types of rule of law similar to those found in the literature on democracy. Finally, this essay encourages debates about the conceptualization, measurement, and types of rule of law similar to tho...