Final answer:
The essence of the rule of law is that the state and its officials are subject to the same laws as the citizenry, reflecting that no one is above the law and ensuring justice is fairly applied.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essence of the rule of law is ensuring that "the state" and its officials are judged by the SAME laws as the citizenry, which aligns with option D. This concept focuses on the accountability of government and its officials under the law, meaning no one is above it, ensuring justice is applied uniformly and without bias.
The Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in this process, being the highest court in the land and having the authority to interpret the Constitution and ensure that laws are applied fairly and equitably.
The essence of the rule of law is ensuring that "the state" and its officials are judged by the SAME laws as the citizenry. The rule of law is the democratic ideal that no individual or institution is above the law. It binds the government and its officials to be accountable under the law, just like the citizenry. This principle ensures equality and fairness in the application of the law.