What is the rule of law?

On the 2008 test

The 2008 test asks this as Question 12: “What is the "rule of law"?”

The 2008 question lists the same 4 answers.

Background

The rule of law means everyone - including leaders and the government itself - must follow the law. It is the safeguard that keeps power in check: no person or office stands above the law.

From this site's page for 2008 Question 12.

The 65/20 special consideration

Question 13 is not one of the 20 asterisked questions, so an applicant who qualifies for the 65/20 special consideration would not be asked it. Everyone else studies all 128.

Answers that get mixed up with this one

These are the wrong options the 2025 practice test puts beside this question. Each one is the correct answer to a different 2025 question.

• So one part does not become too powerfulanswers Question 15: There are three branches of government. Why?
• Six (6) yearsanswers Question 22: How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
• Citizens of their stateanswers Question 31: Who does a U.S. senator represent?

More Principles of American Government questions

• Question 10: Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.Equality · Liberty · Social contract · Natural rights · Limited government · Self-government
• Question 11: The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?Declaration of Independence
• Question 12: What is the economic system of the United States?Capitalism · Free market economy
• Question 14: Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.Declaration of Independence · Articles of Confederation · Federalist Papers · Anti-Federalist Papers · Virginia Declaration of Rights · Fundamental Orders of Connecticut · Mayflower Compact · Iroquois Great Law of Peace
• Question 15: There are three branches of government. Why?So one part does not become too powerful · Checks and balances · Separation of powers