Which principle expresses that government must be confined to the rule of law?

Which principle expresses that government must be confined to the rule of law?

• A. Checks and Balances
• B. Rule of Law
• C. Federalism
• D. Popular Sovereignty

Answer: (B)

At its heart, this principle says government must be bound by rules that themselves are higher than the government officials who enforce them. The Rule of Law means laws are publicly promulgated, applied equally, and enforced, and officials act only within the authority granted by law. It protects against arbitrary power and ensures due process. This item points to that idea directly: government is confined to the rule of law, not acting on whim or personal will. Checks and balances describes how different branches constrain each other to prevent tyranny, federalism concerns the division of power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty holds that people are the ultimate source of governmental authority. When government operates under established laws that limit its actions, along with the possibility of legal review, the rule of law is being applied.

At its heart, this principle says government must be bound by rules that themselves are higher than the government officials who enforce them. The Rule of Law means laws are publicly promulgated, applied equally, and enforced, and officials act only within the authority granted by law. It protects against arbitrary power and ensures due process. This item points to that idea directly: government is confined to the rule of law, not acting on whim or personal will.

Checks and balances describes how different branches constrain each other to prevent tyranny, federalism concerns the division of power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty holds that people are the ultimate source of governmental authority. When government operates under established laws that limit its actions, along with the possibility of legal review, the rule of law is being applied.