constitutionalism; rule of law; legalism
A political principle emphasizing governance based on law and constitutional limits, often contrasted with arbitrary rule. In Japanese legal discourse, it may carry nuances of both 'rule of law' and 'constitutionalism'.
The rule of law is one of the fundamental principles of a modern state.
This ruling was criticized as being contrary to constitutionalism.
法治主義 is the abstract principle of rule by law, while 法治国 is the actual country that practices that principle.
Compound of 法治 (rule of law) + 主義 (principle, doctrine). The term is a Meiji-era coinage based on Western legal concepts.