"De Jure" is a Latin term meaning "by law." It refers to something that is legally recognized, regardless of whether it is actually practiced or enforced. For example, a law may exist that grants certain rights to individuals, but if those rights are not upheld in reality, they remain "de jure" rights. In contrast, "de facto" refers to situations that exist in practice but may not be legally recognized. Understanding the difference between "de jure" and "de facto" is important in fields like law, politics, and sociology, as it helps clarify the distinction between legal rights and actual conditions in society.