Which statement best describes the rule of law's effect on those in power?

• A. Only citizens must follow the law.
• B. Those in power can choose when to follow the law.
• C. Everyone, including those in power, must follow the law.
• D. The law applies differently to government officials.

Answer: (C)

The rule of law means that no one is above the law. It holds that laws apply to everyone, including those in power. This creates accountability for government leaders and agencies, ensuring they act within legal limits and respect due process. In practical terms, it prevents arbitrary or unchecked authority and helps protect citizens’ rights by making sure leaders themselves are subject to the same rules as everyone else.

That’s why the idea that only citizens must follow the law, or that those in power can choose when to follow it, or that the law applies differently to government officials, don’t fit. Those options undermine equal treatment and accountability, which are central to the rule of law.