| Sumario: | The article examines the origins of the phrase "the rule of law," tracing its evolution from a specific legal term to a broader ideal of political morality. Initially, the term referred to particular legal rules relevant to specific cases, but by the early seventeenth century, it began to signify a governance ideal emphasizing adherence to common law, particularly in the context of rising commodity exchange and socio-economic changes in England. The article highlights how early advocates of the rule of law, such as common lawyers Nicholas Fuller and Thomas Hedley, framed it as a means to protect the rights of property holders and promote equality among commodity exchangers. This historical perspective is contrasted with contemporary minimalist interpretations of the rule of law, suggesting that the original conception included libertarian and egalitarian dimensions that remain relevant today.
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