法治

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 法治, read ほうち, combines law 法 with governance 治 to denote rule by law.
• Basic usage: It denotes the principle that state and society are governed by law rather than personal whim, as in 法治の原則.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Scope and context
  • It focuses not merely on laws existing but on power itself being subject to legal rules.