Revisiting the modern issues of the Rechtsstaat concept development

Zaretsky Andrei Mikhailovich

The article gives a brief review of the origin and the development of the Rechtsstaat (rule of law) concept, its history, sources and main characteristics. The author explores the ‘rule of law’ conceptual framework from its genesis to the present times, outlines its basic interpretations, overviewing main theoretical approaches to the issue in Russian legal scholarship. The study addresses the question of the ‘rule of law’ idea and potential and their understanding by legal experts.

Keywords:legal state, Rechtsstaat, legal culture, nation-building, social contract, legitimacy, rule of law, civil society