依法执政是以体现社会公意的法律作为执掌国家权力最高依据的执政方式 ,其特征是区别于独裁专制执政的重要标志。从执政权力的来源来看 ,依法执政具有执政的合法性特征 ;从执政的本质属性来看 ,依法执政具有执政的民主性特征 ;从执政的方式方法来看 ,依法执政具有执政的规范性特征 Rule by law is based on the law that reflects the social will of the people as the ruling pattern that holds the highest power of the state. Its characteristics are distinguished from the important signs of dictatorship. Judging from the source of ruling power, ruling by law has the legitimacy characteristics of ruling. Judging from the essential attributes of ruling, ruling by law has the ruling democratic character. From the ways and means of ruling, ruling by law has the normative characteristics of ruling