1.9 Rule of Law

Which principle is included in the U.S. Constitution?

• rule of law

• right to trial

• capitalism

• confederalism

The passages below are from Executive Order 13490, issued by President Barack Obama in 2009.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution …it is hereby ordered as follows:

"…Every appointee in every executive agency …shall be ...committed to, the following pledge upon becoming an appointee: “As a condition, and in consideration, of my employment in the United States Government in a position invested with the public trust, …I will not accept gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the duration of my service as an appointee.”

Based on these passages, what is the purpose of this executive order?

• Government employees should be held to the rule of law.

• Government employees should work with interest groups.

• Government employees should support political candidates

• Government employees should respect enforcement of the law.

The quote below is from a 1977 interview with President Richard Nixon.

“Well, when the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.”

Based on the quote, what can be presumed about the rule of law?

• A. It requires judicial review.

• It promotes fair procedures.

• It requires consistent application.

• It promotes institutional transparency.

The conversation below took place between two U.S. citizens.

Kevin: I do not want to visit a country where the police force

operates like an organized crime gang.

Peggy: I do not want to visit a country where the police make

up evidence.

What principle is important to these citizens?

• A. Representative Democracy

• Freedom of speech

• Trial by jury

• Rule of law

The statement is from the Magna Carta written in 1215.

To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice.

Which political principle justifies this statement?

• The right to trial protects political institutions.

• Separation of powers permits shared government authority

• Checks and balances prevent tyranny in government.

• The rule of law guarantees fair legal treatment.

A society that lives under the rule of law holds which of the following citizens to the guidelines established by the laws and statutes of that government?

• Only high ranking

• Very few

• All

• Impoverished

Often contrasted with ‘the rule of man’ in which individual government officials can make arbitrary decisions not dependent on statute or precedent, ‘the rules of law’ ensures which of the following selections?

• laws are consistently enforced

• government officials are also subject to the law

• citizens are subject to the laws equally

• all of these

In Erik’s country, lawmakers have passed a new bill that allows elected members of the legislature to avoid testifying in trials if they declare that their testimony could damage national security or interests. Which of the following selections best describe this situation?

• strengthening the rule of law

• erosion of the rule of law

• erosion of consumer confidence

• strengthening the balance of powers

The rule of law states that which of the selections listed below is above the law.

• Supreme Court Judge

• Congress

• No one

• President