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It seems to me that this rule -- Treat Equal Cases Equally -- is important for a very good reason. It precludes the possibility of arbitrary treatment.

For centuries ordinary people have struggled against rulers who could make decisions any way they wanted. But if we adopt the rule that we must treat equal cases equally, then there must be law, and not the whim of an autocrat.

In this regard, it seems to me that part of the essence of justice is that government must act according to rules, and not arbitrarily, if it is to be called just.