How has China formed its conception of the rule of law? A contextual analysis of legal instrumentalism in ROC and PRC law-making

Wu, Qianlan

Abstract

The rule of law as a globally recognised concept is multi-faceted (Chesterman, 2008). In the common-law tradition, it is conceived through a formal and substantive framework. In essence, it centres on the supremacy of the law over the arbitrary exercise of power and the formal legality of the law (Tamanaha, 2004, p. 115; Cotterrell, 1992, p. 157). The rule-of-law concept has been criticised as being of unique European origin, where plural social organisation and universal natural law constitute its two preconditions (Unger, 1977, pp. 80–110). It has, however, been advocated around the world as one essential principle leading to modernity, where the legitimacy of the law based on the formal and substantive rule of law serves as a strong symbol for a modern society (Deflem, 1996, p. 5).

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 14, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Feb 27, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2017
• Deposit Date: Feb 3, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 27, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Law in Context
• Print ISSN: 1744-5523
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-5523
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 277-294
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1744552317000039
• Keywords: China, The Rule of Law, Legal borrowing, Legal Culture
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/840417
• Publisher URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-law-in-context/article/div-classtitlehow-has-china-formed-its-conception-of-the-rule-of-law-a-contextual-analysis-of-legal-instrumentalism-in-roc-and-prc-law-makingdiv/A64927C5B7C8591B914120